TxDOT plans January TTC meetings

L-N File Photo Came To Learn About 80 people gathered at the Knights of Columbus hall in July to see a film and hear speakers discuss Gov. Rick Perry's controversial Trans-Texas Corridor plan. Opposition groups have railed against Perry's TTC plan, saying it will eat up thousands of acres of privately-held land.

Existing highways will be considered first as state transportation officials continue work to identify an alignment for the I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor, an effort that will include unprecedented public involvement opportunities during the next several months, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

At present the recommended two-tier study area runs just north of Louise, El Campo (approximately between El Campo and Taiton) and Wharton along a line that roughly follows U.S. 59.

TxDOT, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, on Tuesday released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor project, saying it will make transportation safer, faster, more reliable and provide for faster hurricane evacuation.

The 1,072-page report is the result of nearly three years of work with local officials and input from citizens through hundreds of public meetings. It looked at a wide, 650-mile long study area stretching from far south Texas to extreme northeast Texas.

In January 2008, TxDOT will hold 10 town hall meetings along the corridor, but sites have not been finalized. The scheduling of town hall meetings is a direct result of public comment that citizens want more opportunity to ask questions and get answers about the Trans-Texas Corridor.

In February, TxDOT will begin the formal public hearings on the environmental study. Forty-six public hearings will be held throughout the study area with the focus strictly on the DEIS document. Wharton, El Campo and Edna are thought to be among the hearing locations, but dates and sites will reportedly not be set for another one to two weeks. The format for these hearings is designed to gather public comments solely on the document.

Copies of the DEIS are also being sent to many public libraries along the entire study area for citizens to review. Receiving a paper copy and a CD will be the Wharton County central library in Wharton, as well as the branches in El Campo, Louise and East Bernard.

It will also be available at TxDOT offices in the study area. Citizens may also call the I-69/TTC project office for information. The toll free number is 1-866-554-6989.

Gov. Rick Perry's commitment to improve mobility across the state and his long-term vision to prepare for tomorrow's transportation challenges have brought us to this point," said Ted Houghton, a member of the Texas Transportation Commission.

The report recommends additional detailed examination and public comment on a narrower study area to see where I-69/TTC can be located while minimizing environmental impacts. The recommended study area is approximately one-half to four-miles wide.

The report recommends continued environmental studies on I-69/TTC focused on using existing highways first with new corridors as a secondary option.

"We are doing what the public asked us to do and that is look at existing highways first," said Amadeo Saenz, TxDOT executive director.

"Failure to prepare for future transportation demand will greatly increase the cost and difficulty of meeting these needs in the future," said Saenz.

The report is available on two TxDOT Web sites: www. keeptexasmoving.com and www. txdot.gov.