ASK THE MAYOR
Mayor gives updates on I-69, railroad, beautification
MAYOR PHILLIP SPENRATH

Thanksgiving is around the corner and the changing of leaves signifies that it's "Football Playoff Time." Today, I want to provide some updates on important projects that we have been diligently pursuing over the past six months.

I-69/TTC Project: Earlier this week, TxDOT released the preliminary reports and maps for its Tier 1 Environmental Study for the proposed I-69 transportation project. The Tier 1 phase was created to identify our transportation needs for the next 50 years. In correlation, the I-69 study anticipates that our current population is expected to increase 64 percent by the year 2030. Consequently, TXDOT officials and area working groups will be empanelled to determine the needs and alleviate the concerns of regional residents.

El Campo representatives attended an I-69 Alliance sponsored meeting in Sugar Land concerning the future location of I-69. At present, TxDOT officials have not committed to a specific route for highway expansion. As a result of conversations with TxDOT directors, I believe that the new 1-69 thoroughfare can and will be located along the existing U.S. 59 assets. In an attempt to further insure that El Campo has a voice in the project location and general structure, we are petitioning appointments to our region's six-person working group.

Railroad On Track: In line with our highway concerns, El Campo representatives have continued to explore and exhaust every avenue available for rerouting the Kansas City Southern Railroad (KCSR) to bypass downtown El Campo. While nothing has been officially determined, we are still extremely hopeful that a rail bypass can be achieved.

At present, the potential for traffic crossing hazards and deterred economic development dictate that we move the rail outside of downtown to an area where the rail can still be utilized by local and area industries that seek its services. Throughout our meetings and negotiations, TxDOT and KCSR officials listened attentively and appear to be working together to provide a viable solution that can protect and maintain the safety and integrity of our Central Business District.

Beautification: Promoting El Campo through the beautification of our boundaries remains one of our top priorities and ongoing missions for the development of El Campo. Through extensive research and studies, we know that thousands of daily travelers use the U.S. 59 bypass without ever discovering the many opportunities that El Campo has to offer. Thanks to the hard work and determination of many volunteers, five weeks ago we successfully planted over four acres of bluebonnets and wildflowers at the U.S. 59 and S.H. 71 intersection.

With adequate rainfall and controlled mowing, our beautification project should be blooming by late March or early April. As a result, we hope that travelers will slow down for the view and be enticed to venture into our city and discover the many assets and opportunities that El Campo has to offer.

El Campo is a city on the move and we are currently experiencing a very exciting time. Members of our great community will soon be seeing renovations to our Emergency Services, Civic Center, and Animal Control buildings.

Your City Council and staff will continue to upgrade existing utilities and services along with maintaining the much-needed strip paving projects. As one of your elected officials, I assure you that we all understand and respect our fiduciary duty to make sure that the City of El Campo is properly maintained, both structurally and financially, while continually striving to address the needs and concerns of our constituents.

- Comments may be addressed to askthemayor@sbcglobal.com.