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Recently the Texas Transportation Commission adopted an implementation plan for the Trans Texas Corridor initiative proposed by Governor Rick Perry. The Trans Texas Corridor is the largest engineering project ever proposed for Texas. Partners in the public and private sectors plan to develop a 21st Century transportation system in Texas that will be a model for the nation.
The initiative proposes the development of new transportation infrastructures between major Texas cities. Under the plan, Texas will be connected by a 4,000 mile network of corridors up to 1,200 feet wide with separate lanes for passenger vehicles (three in each direction) and trucks (two in each direction). The corridors also will include six rail lines (three in each direction), one for high speed passenger rail between cities, one for high speed freight, and one for conventional commuter and freight. The final component of the corridor will be a 200-foot wide easement dedicated to the delivery of utilities like electricity, water, data, oil and natural gas. The Trans Texas Corridor will allow for much faster and safer transportation of people and goods. Other benefits that will result in the building of the corridor include:
* Relieve congestion on existing roadways;
* Keep hazardous materials out of populated areas;
* Improve air quality by reducing emissions;
* Provide a safer, more reliable utility transmission system; and
* Create new markets and new jobs that will result in economic development in all areas of the state especially rural areas.
Four corridors have been identified as priority segments of the Trans Texas Corridor. These corridors parallel Interstate 35, I-37, and the proposed I-69 from Denison to the Rio Grande Valley; the alternate proposed I-69 from Texarkana to Houston to Laredo; I-45 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Houston; and I-10 from El Paso to Orange.
The estimated total cost for the Trans Texas Corridor would range from $145.2 billion to $183.5 billion. In 2001, the 77th Legislature provided several new financial tools to help Texas meet its transportation demands. Legislation enabling toll road authorities, regional mobility authorities, and the Texas Mobility Fund will help the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT)continue its efforts to enhance the existing transportation system. These tools also can be used in developing the Trans Texas Corridor.
More information on the Trans Texas Implementation Plan can be found at www.dot.state.tx.us.
State Representative Ron Clark
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
(903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474
(512) 475-3767 (fax)
ron.clark@house.state.tx.us
http://www.grayson.edu/district62/RonClark.html
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