Regional Leaders Discuss I-35 Congestion Relief Corridor Segment Committee guides TxDOT planning
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jul 7, 2009, 0 Comments
AUSTIN – Regional leaders are set to meet with state transportation officials July 8 as part of a long-term public involvement effort, providing guidance and local perspective to develop congestion relief solutions for the Interstate 35 corridor.
The I-35 Corridor Segment Committee Number Four is one of four regional citizen advisory groups meeting this month to help the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) plan projects along the I-35 corridor to suit local and regional needs and improve mobility throughout the corridor. Committee Four has jurisdiction from San Antonio to Laredo. While the committee held an organizational meeting this spring, Wednesday’s meeting will be the first devoted to discussion and development of
recommendations for TxDOT. I-69 Corridor Segment Committees will meet in August.
“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 relieve congestion along I-35 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 multi-modal 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 segment 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.
