Locals join Austin anti-TTC rally Saturday
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

A Capitol Idea Opponents of the Trans- Texas Corridor project gathered Saturday at the state Capitol building to voice their opinions on the proposed multi-lane transportation project, which would cut through Wharton County. Those in attendance include, from left: A.J. Kresta, Lawrence Bacak, Fred Vacek, Susan Swanson, Barbara Vacek, Delbur Swanson, Boomer Kresta, Lennie Blaha and Heather Garrett. Also attending from El Campo, but not shown, were David and Diane Coan. Contributed Photo

About a dozen El Campo and Wharton County residents were among the Texans marching on the state Capitol Saturday.

With an anti-Trans-Texas Corridor cry, they were hoping to have their voices heard by state leaders.

Organized by Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom, or TURF, the Stop The TTC & Tolls Across Texas event drew an estimated crowd of more than 1,000 to decry the corridor plans.

"We marched up Congress Avenue from Chavez to the Capitol," Taiton resident Fred Vacek said. "It was a large group of people. Everybody had banners and posters. There were tractors. It was nice."

Contributed Photo Just Saying 'No' To TTC Lennie Blaha and Heather Garrett were among the local protesters who rallied in Austin to show opposition to the Trans-Texas Corridor project Saturday. The proposed multi-lane transportation project would cut through Wharton County and deprive many Texans of land they've held for generations.

The group drew media attention as it rallied against the possible condemnation of private lands for the development of proposed toll road from Mexico to Canada.

The TTC is drafted to encompass 10 lanes of traffic and six rail lines along with communications and pipeline infrastructure. It would span some 4,000 miles across the state, and would limit vehicle access to toll booths scattered along its length.

Vacek said he didn't know what effect the Saturday rally would have on the issue.

"But I know one thing - if you don't try, you have no chance," he said. "People really do not understand what's going on."

Vacek expressed concern over a Mexican deal with China and its tie-in with corridor plans. A port being built on the western shores of Mexico is designed to move Chinese goods from Columbia to Canada, he said.

"If we can stop it in Texas, we can stop this trade route," Vacek added.

The Texas Department of Transportation has extended the comment period on the pre-TTC environmental study through April 18. Interested Texas can submit comments online at www.keeptexasmoving.com or mail them to I-69/TTC, P.O. Box 14428, Austin, Texas 78761.