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Reactions Roundup
Here’s a quick sampling of what local officials and others are saying about the latest developments in the TTC-69 saga.
Mayor Roger Van Horn
“I am glad for the landowners who worked very hard to get those people who make policy to look again at our needs versus cost, being land and money. So I’m happy for them. What I like about it is it’s a good example of how the process works: proposals are made, people are talked to, listened to.”
County Judge Joe English
“I’m excited about the idea that the governor changed his mind. I think that the original proposal lopped off a lot of land in our county and it was unnecessary, and I certainly was concerned as everyone else was.”
Terri Hall, founder of TexasTURF
We actually have several concerns about this thing. While were delighted that thery’re agreeing to use the existing right of way, and thats going to relieve a certain number of land owners, by the same token, this now requires… TxDOT to now re-do, or at least at a minimum, supplement their environmental document to reflect the new project route and to have to now go back and study the impacts of that route and take public comment. They basically have to re-do their public hearing process again.”
U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (via press release)
“TxDOT’s announcement today that it will recommend the use of existing highways for the I-69 corridor appears to be a bit of silver lining in the stormy debate surrounding the highway, but as east Texans continually express to me, there are still serious concerns regarding this issue. It truly is a victory, though, that our citizens’ overwhelming feedback has caused TxDOT to scrap their plans of swallowing the land of east Texas with the massive footprint of the original Trans-Texas Corridor. This shows that a person’s voice really can make a difference, and I am glad the department finally listened. However, our top priority is to ensure that the sovereignty of the United States and our border security are not compromised, and we still have to get reassurance that these values will be protected under this project. I will to continue to speak with TxDOT officials to gain further clarity on these matters, but for now, we’re pleased with this announcement.”
City Manager Jim Jeffers
“There’s still an awful lot of work to be done.”
Comments
By Bowie
June 11, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Don’t believe the reports - read the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for I-69. This is a political ploy to move the DEIS from Tier One to Tier Two. From where I’m standing it’s working because everybody thinks this thing is dead. NOT SO. The current DEIS document does not contemplate upgrading US 59 until it moves to Tier Two. This was done by design. If the DEIS moves to Final this Fall and is approved as written, they will have approved the preferred alternative corridor (what we have been fighting) and can dust it off at some point in the future without us being able to stop them. Read Mr. Saenz’s words carefully in the Houston Chronicle today when he talks about keeping options open say, 50 years down the road. I submit 50 could look more like 5 years if the political climate and election cycle works out for some folks in Austin. There is simply too much money at stake for them to lay down this easy. I urge people to call Rep. McReynolds and find out what is being done to scrap the existing DEIS and replace it with a revised version that speaks specifically to upgrading US59. Don’t let them get away with this!!! We have a voice now and a boot on their neck with the Sunset Commission - don’t squander this opportunity to kill TXDOT’s plans while they have their back against the wall.