Regional Leaders Discuss I-69 Development Corridor Segment Committee to guide TxDOT planning
Written by admin, Aug 7, 2009, 0 Comments
Courtesy Raul Leal,
AUSTIN – Regional leaders are set to meet with state transportation officials Tuesday as part of a long-term public involvement effort, providing guidance and local perspective to develop I-69.
The I-69 Corridor Segment Committee Number Five is one of five regional citizen advisory groups meeting in August to help the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) plan projects along the I-69 corridor to suit local and regional needs and improve mobility throughout the corridor. Committee Five has jurisdiction from Webb and Zapata Counties eastward to Nueces and San Patricio Counties. While the committee held an organizational meeting this spring, Tuesday’s meeting will be the first
devoted to discussion and development of recommendations for TxDOT. I-35 Corridor Segment Committees met in July.
“The input of local stakeholders on each Segment Committee is essential to the planning, development and success of these projects,” said Amadeo Saenz, TxDOT executive director. “Any effort to develop I-69 should add value to neighboring communities by providing opportunities for continued economic development, more efficient access to businesses and farms, and improving air quality. Involving local voices early in our planning process and keeping them involved as we move forward with
environmental approval and development will play a significant part in our ability to achieve these goals.”
TxDOT issued a revised vision for corridor development and planning early this year, calling for increased local participation in planning efforts and evolving the Trans-Texas Corridor concept. The new vision, Innovative Connectivity in Texas | Vision 2009, divides the once-mammoth TTC-35 and I-69 corridors into a series of smaller, more locally-focused corridor projects that will first focus on improving existing facilities.
Members of the committee represent metropolitan planning organizations, counties and other entities with an interest in transportation such as cities, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and the Texas Farm Bureau. All Corridor Segment Committee meetings are open to the public, and a complete listing of corridor advisory committees, members and meetings is available online by visiting www.keeptexasmoving.com.
