Lawmaker files bill to repeal Texas Corridor

The Temple Daily Telegram ^ | November 14, 2008 | Fred Afflerbach

[Jedidah]

In reply to your question to another poster soliciting ideas for handling increasing south-north traffic across Texas, here’s what I think:

It’s crazy to keep funneling virtually all north-south traffic through Dallas-Fort Worth, thus causing congestion, increased pollution, and the capacity nightmare we face.

We need to disperse traffic, not condense it. There is no reason (other than to appease the DFW business lobby) to force everyone who wants to get from south Texas to Oklahoma to drive through the metroplex.

We need to widen existing routes, four-lane controlled acess highways criss-crossing the state. This approach would not only decrease congestion and clean up Dallas air, it would also bring business and prosperity to smaller cities in other parts of the state.

It would be good for all of us.

From Houston to Paris, tying into the Indian Nation Turnpike at Hugo, OK.

Del Rio to Midland to Lubbock to Amarillo and north.

Laredo and Corpus to San Antonio to Stephenville to Wichita Falls and tie into I-44 at the Oklahoma border.

Or Laredo to Junction to Abilene and northward.

Look at a Texas map. It’s obvious what needs to be done. But common sense hasn’t had a hand in recent transportation planning in Texas. It’s all about money, not the common good.

Hope I’ve given you some realistic suggestions. I wish someone with influence would listen.

[Jedidah]

By the way — I’m native-born sixth generation Texan, virulently opposed to the TTC.

[snoringbear]

“Look at a Texas map”

It’s not necessary for me to look at a Texas map. I lived in Midland for ten years and during that period drove virtually every road in west Texas, the Trans Pacos, Big Bend and many up in the Pan Handle. All of your ideas have merit. The only one that would probably not be politicaly possible is the one that would intringe on the Fort Davis, Alpine area as this area is turning into an enclave for artsy, craftsy types looking for some solitude and thereby don’t want their karma disturbed. Personally, I sort of like that area the way it is too.

But, like it or not, additional highway capacity is going to be built somewhere. My vote is to build the additional capacity along I-35, either the TTC plan or some other version. Heck, this corridor is already trashed up so why trash up other parts of this great state by building another north/south corridor?

Btw, guess you have senority on TxMa and me by one generation :)