Reaction to I-69/TTC route mostly positive
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

"If you ask Texans what they want, be prepared to hear the answer."

That was the assessment of Texas Transportation Commission member Ted Houghton weighing in this week on the Tx- DOT decision to recommend the I-69/TTC project follow existing highway routes rather than establishing new routes.

In his announcement letter, he mentioned the 47 public hearings held along the highway route.

"Some 12,000 Texans who wanted to shape the future of transportation in our great state came to those hearings," he wrote.

"And over the course of our public involvement period, we received about 28,000 comments. "Speaker after speaker told us they wanted a transportation system that preserved private property rights. They wanted Texas to own and control that system.

"And Texans were very clear on another point: If I-69/TTC is to be built, they want it along existing facilities, and not on new rights of way throughout the state.

"We heard what Texans said, and we are doing as they requested."

In offering his own opinion on the announcement, State Senator Glenn Hegar reminded the residents of the area he represents that not every question concerning the project has been answered. In a news release, Hegar was quoted as saying, "While the announcement is a welcome one and provides some evidence that the department has finally begun to listen to the voices of local residents, this long saga is by no means over, as many questions regarding key portions of the route remain unanswered."

Hegar said that with the TxDOT announcement, many landowners may take comfort that their land is no longer within the recommended path of the I-69/TTC and thus no longer threatened by eminent domain.

However, he added that caution must be taken before leaping to any premature sighs of relief, because TxDOT cannot guarantee that one hundred percent of I-69/TTC will remain within existing corridor routes.

For example, questions remain over whether new routes will be needed to bypass existing cities. Furthermore, all other questions and concerns pertaining to a proposed TTC still exist despite TxDOT's most recent announcement.

In their own release, the leadership of the Alliance for I- 69 Texas issued a statement of strong support for the decision to recommend developing the I-69/TTC project, which will run from Texarkana to Houston and south to the Rio Grande.

In addition U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison called an announcement to utilize existing right-of-way for the Texas portion of the planned I-69 highway a "major victory" for landowners, farmers, and private property rights.

"I have long supported building I-69 in Texas on existing right-of-way because we have a significant need for added Interstate highway capacity in response to the rapid growth in our state," she was quoted.

"By using existing rightof way, TxDOT will more effi- ciently utilize taxpayer dollars while also limiting the negative impact on farm land and businesses."

The state's largest farm organization, the Texas Farm Bureau, also backed the decision with a release of its own.

"We are glad to see that TxDOT is beginning to listen to what so many members of our organization have said for the past four years," said Kenneth Dierschke, president of the Texas Farm Bureau. "Some 28,000 Texans - many of whom are members of the state's largest farm organization - aired grievances during public meetings held at various locations by TxDOT officials along the proposed highway path. Nearly all expressed some concerns over land lost to the multi-lane corridor, diminished access to their properties or property split by the project."

Dierschke noted that the proposed I-69 project is only part of the Trans-Texas Corridor plans that have been released by Tx- DOT. The agency's announcement this week does not affect the project proposals along Interstate 35.

City of Wharton officials noted that the decision was something of a victory for small communities that line the U.S. 59 corridor.

City manager Andres Garza Jr. said the city council had "always supported" that the I-69/ TTC stick to the current highway routes and had even submitted comments to the transportation commission regarding it.

"That's good news for us. At least we know now where it will be put. And we know where our efforts need to be focused as far as infrastructure development," Garza said.

"I guess they (TxDOT) heard the outcry of the public and local officials."

For more on TxDOT's announcement and Trans-Texas Corridor plans, check them out online at www.keeptexasmoving. org.