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TxDOT pulls plug on ‘trans corridor’
By Howard Roden
Although the idea of a Trans-Texas Corridor in Montgomery County was effectively dead and buried almost a year ago, the Texas Department of Transportation made it official Tuesday when the state agency announced it would scrap the plan.
The proposed multi-billion dollar project called for the creation of super highways that bundled toll roads, railroads, power lines and underground pipelines in a 1,200-foot-wide right of way.
But TxDOT finally ran up the white flag after several years of strong resistance from a number of private property owners and groups, prompting the transporation agency to overhaul the concept.
“Texans have spoken and we’ve been listening,” TxDOT executive director Amadeo Saenz stated in a press release that was released at the fourth annual Texas Transportation Forum in Austin.
“Citizens across the state have had good ideas about how Texas roads can better serve Texas communities. I believe this transformed vision for the TTC and other major corridor development goes a long way toward addressing the concerns we’ve heard over the past several years,” Saenz said.
Speaking on a conference call from Iraq, Gov. Rick Perry declared the Trans-Texas Corridor was “finished up.” Among the proposed changes to the TTC concept include dropping the “Trans-Texas Corridor” designation and a reduction of the right of way from 1,200 feet to 600 feet in selected sections.
“I think the concept of the Trans-Texas Corridor is frankly one that got misunderstood,” Perry said.
At one point the I-69/TTC corridor featured a potential right of way that cut across the northwest corner of Montgomery County – in the vicinity of the Bays Chapel and Richards areas.
State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, said the demise of the transportation corridor in Montgomery County had been announced back in April.
“The change (announced Tuesday) doesn’t impact us,” said Nichols, a member of the state Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee. “But it sends a message for other areas of the state.”
In 2007 Nichols submitted a bill that called for a moratorium on funding of all proposed TTC projects. State Rep. Brandon Creighton, who co-authored the bill in the house, said the I-69/TTC project was a “1,200-foot wide, 4,000-mile long disaster.”
“I’m pleased with the announcement,” Creighton said. “We always have to keep a watchful eye on the interpretation between proposed changes and what ultimately becomes policy that is enacted.
“When the dollars are tight, a lot of corners are cut. Many times the public is the last to know,” he said.
Montgomery County Judge Alan B. Sadler and Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador were not surprised with TxDOT’s decision to pull the plug on the original project, which was promoted by Perry beginning in 2002.
“When so many of the rural landowners and ranchers across the state raised their opposition to the project, the political heat became extreme,” Sadler said.
Even with an altered right of way of 600 feet – which is the length of two football fields – Sadler said the TTC project is “too ambitious” in relationship to the amount of funding.
“I don’t ever expect to see the TTC anywhere in Texas, at least in my lifetime,” Sadler said.
Meador said Montgomery County can focus on making the necessary repairs on existing roads and examine those projects which help move transportation through the region more efficiently.
“We’re struggling to create the right of way on any new roads in the county,” he said.
The proposed Interstate 69, which is to run from the Rio Grande Valley to northeast Texas, remains a viable project. Sadler notes that the current expansion of U.S. 59 in East County is simply another version of what is being built on I-45.
“You’re going to see a modified version of I-69 along the lines of a normal interstate,” he said. “That’s the most we’ll see through this county.
“Frankly, that’s what they’re building right now.”
In addition to dropping the “Trans-Texas Corridor” designation, TxDot issued a “promise” Tuesday that all state highways, including the TTC, will be completely owned by the state “at all times.” The agency also said all future development agreements will allow TxDOT to “buy back” a project “if it is in the best interest of the state.”
TxDOT said those future agreements will not include “non-compete” promises that would prohibit improvements to existing roadways.
Only new lanes added to an existing highway will be tolled and that there will be “no reduction” in the number of “non-tolled” roads that currently exist.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
The proposed multi-billion dollar project called for the creation of super highways that bundled toll roads, railroads, power lines and underground pipelines in a 1,200-foot-wide right of way.
But TxDOT finally ran up the white flag after several years of strong resistance from a number of private property owners and groups, prompting the transporation agency to overhaul the concept.
“Texans have spoken and we’ve been listening,” TxDOT executive director Amadeo Saenz stated in a press release that was released at the fourth annual Texas Transportation Forum in Austin.
“Citizens across the state have had good ideas about how Texas roads can better serve Texas communities. I believe this transformed vision for the TTC and other major corridor development goes a long way toward addressing the concerns we’ve heard over the past several years,” Saenz said.
Speaking on a conference call from Iraq, Gov. Rick Perry declared the Trans-Texas Corridor was “finished up.” Among the proposed changes to the TTC concept include dropping the “Trans-Texas Corridor” designation and a reduction of the right of way from 1,200 feet to 600 feet in selected sections.
“I think the concept of the Trans-Texas Corridor is frankly one that got misunderstood,” Perry said.
At one point the I-69/TTC corridor featured a potential right of way that cut across the northwest corner of Montgomery County – in the vicinity of the Bays Chapel and Richards areas.
State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, said the demise of the transportation corridor in Montgomery County had been announced back in April.
“The change (announced Tuesday) doesn’t impact us,” said Nichols, a member of the state Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee. “But it sends a message for other areas of the state.”
In 2007 Nichols submitted a bill that called for a moratorium on funding of all proposed TTC projects. State Rep. Brandon Creighton, who co-authored the bill in the house, said the I-69/TTC project was a “1,200-foot wide, 4,000-mile long disaster.”
“I’m pleased with the announcement,” Creighton said. “We always have to keep a watchful eye on the interpretation between proposed changes and what ultimately becomes policy that is enacted.
“When the dollars are tight, a lot of corners are cut. Many times the public is the last to know,” he said.
Montgomery County Judge Alan B. Sadler and Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador were not surprised with TxDOT’s decision to pull the plug on the original project, which was promoted by Perry beginning in 2002.
“When so many of the rural landowners and ranchers across the state raised their opposition to the project, the political heat became extreme,” Sadler said.
Even with an altered right of way of 600 feet – which is the length of two football fields – Sadler said the TTC project is “too ambitious” in relationship to the amount of funding.
“I don’t ever expect to see the TTC anywhere in Texas, at least in my lifetime,” Sadler said.
Meador said Montgomery County can focus on making the necessary repairs on existing roads and examine those projects which help move transportation through the region more efficiently.
“We’re struggling to create the right of way on any new roads in the county,” he said.
The proposed Interstate 69, which is to run from the Rio Grande Valley to northeast Texas, remains a viable project. Sadler notes that the current expansion of U.S. 59 in East County is simply another version of what is being built on I-45.
“You’re going to see a modified version of I-69 along the lines of a normal interstate,” he said. “That’s the most we’ll see through this county.
“Frankly, that’s what they’re building right now.”
In addition to dropping the “Trans-Texas Corridor” designation, TxDot issued a “promise” Tuesday that all state highways, including the TTC, will be completely owned by the state “at all times.” The agency also said all future development agreements will allow TxDOT to “buy back” a project “if it is in the best interest of the state.”
TxDOT said those future agreements will not include “non-compete” promises that would prohibit improvements to existing roadways.
Only new lanes added to an existing highway will be tolled and that there will be “no reduction” in the number of “non-tolled” roads that currently exist.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Reader Comments
BigTexN wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:08 AM:
" ADIOS MEXICAN HIGHWAY!!
Now if we could just put Perry on a railroad outta town... "
Now if we could just put Perry on a railroad outta town... "
pprwrtr wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:13 AM:
" I am all for improvement and building roads if they are needed, but a multi-billion dollar project for this (when we have roads there) in these financial times is absolutely ridiculous. Improve the roads we have and especially widen, etc. the high-traffic areas. Money much better spent. Perry's response is about par for the course--incredibly bad decisions we all have to live by. We didn't misunderstand the Trans-Texas Corrider just because we didn't agree with it. He is not one of my favorites--he is the perfect example of "Some people are like french bread--little dough and lots of crust!" "
kyhooya wrote on Jan 7, 2009 1:51 PM:
" If the economy keeps going like it is....who wants to bet it comes back to life in the form of a government project to help produce jobs? "
nicoleshelby wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:53 PM:
" Rick Perry is a Republican Bill Richardson. I will be voting for K B Hutchison. I like her. This would have been a highway to h*ll. I would like to see the plans of the project burned to be sure it is scraped permanently. "
rg.wilson wrote on Jan 8, 2009 8:19 AM:
" I think this project has DOA from its' inception. However, we need to keep up the congestion mess we have here in MC. I will say, it's better but more needs to be done. "
npdandk wrote on Jan 7, 2009 7:49 AM: