Posted on 06/27/2008 6:42:45 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
AUSTIN — The Texas Transportation Commission on Thursday selected San Antonio's Zachry Construction Corp. and a Spanish toll road developer to plan a superhighway from Texarkana to Brownsville.
The $5 million contract calls for Zachry American Infrastructure and ACS Infrastructure to create a financial plan for the Interstate 69 segment of the Trans-Texas Corridor.
"This team represents the best in the balance of local and global expertise necessary to complete a project of this scope," said David Zachry, chief operating officer of Zachry Construction Corp.
The private developers' plan calls for seven new loops around Corpus Christi and other cities to be constructed as toll roads. Revenue would pay for bringing existing stretches of U.S. 77 up to interstate standards. U.S. 77, however, would not be tolled.
They also propose 60 potential infrastructure projects, including commuter rail along U.S. 90 northeast of Houston, a bridge to Bolivar Peninsula, a container facility at Freeport and a desalinization plant in Brownsville. Transportation commissioners said, however, that there was no guarantee any of those projects will be built.
Houston route unknown The final decision on the route for the corridor will be made by the Texas Department of Transportation through an ongoing environmental study. It is expected to roughly follow U.S. 59 through East Texas and south of Houston, and U.S. 77 south of Victoria.
Earlier this month, TxDOT said it had abandoned plans to build part of the I-69 corridor through rural areas north and west of Houston. Instead, it said it would stick to major highways for most of the route.
The way through or around Houston has not been determined, although it could stay on U.S. 59 or go on Loop 610 or the planned Grand Parkway.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
The head of the Texas Transportation Comm. said if the state decided a desalinization plant was more important, it would be built first.
With the drought we’ve had lately, that might be wise.
Now that's a shocking choice. [/sarcasm].
Is there something to be said for a highway designated as Interstate 69?
Is this a 69’ing of the American people?
Would someone suggest that this highway be named in honor of Bill Clinton? LOL.
I-69 The Bill Clinton Way. What a ring that name would have.
Earlier this month, TxDOT said it had abandoned plans to build part of the I-69 corridor through rural areas north and west of Houston. Instead, it said it would stick to major highways for most of the route.
~~~
FWIW : Every one of the “town hall” meetings was a
Screamin’Fit from the land owners in the area,,,
The TXDOT head was told in no uncertain terms where he
could shove his road,,,
That fool is gunna start a war in East Texas with this
KRAP!...
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