Ira D. Perry
713-844-3640 phone
713-858-8772 mobile

House Appropriations Committee Includes $7 Million
for Interstate 69 Project in Texas

HOUSTON, The proposed Interstate 69 (I-69) from Canada to Mexico has moved another step closer to construction with the inclusion of $7 million for environment and location studies in funding proposals being advanced by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The House Appropriations Committee has included the $7 million for projects along the I-69 corridor in Texas in the fiscal year 2004 transportation appropriations bill. The money will be used to advance environment and location studies along the corridor if approved by the full House and later by the Senate.

“FY 2004 funding is critical to maintain momentum on the environment and location studies so that construction of I-69 can begin in the coming years,” said Helen R. Walker, chairman of the Alliance for I-69 Texas, a membership organization that is working to ensure the timely completion of I-69.

“Securing money in the House bill better positions I-69 Texas to receive maximum funding once the appropriations bill gets to conference, said Walker, of Victoria County. “The Alliance for I-69 Texas is thankful for the strong support and leadership of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and members of the I-69 Texas congressional delegation who supported the FY 2004 appropriations request for I-69 Texas.”

When completed, I-69 will serve as the most direct trade route linking the industrial centers of Mexico, the United States and Canada. Currently 49 percent of the total U.S. truck-borne trade with Mexico uses I-69 border crossings in Texas from Laredo to the lower Rio Grande Valley. Trade with Mexico has doubled since NAFTA legislation was enacted and is expected to continue increasing. While the United States is realizing tremendous economic benefit from this growth in trade, the State of Texas is faced with sustaining the infrastructure necessary to support the commercial traffic.

The Alliance of I-69 Texas is a membership-based organization created in 1994 to promote the development of I-69 in Texas. Membership includes government and business interests from 34 counties in East and South Texas with administrative support provided by the Greater Houston Partnership.

For more information about the environment and location studies, visit www.i69corridorstudy.com. To learn more about the Alliance for I-69 Texas, visit www.i69texas.org.

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1200 Smith, Suite 700  ·  Houston, Texas 77002-4400
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