June 29, 2005

TxDOT TO NARROW I-69 CORRIDOR ROUTES TO BETWEEN A HALF MILE AND FOUR MILES
by Gary Bushell

TxDOT plans another series of public meetings beginning in late July to further define the routes for I-69. They hope to define corridors of between one/half to four miles wide prior to seeking private sector partners through the Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA) process. They expect to prepare the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) in the fall of this year with the goal of completing the final EIS by summer of 2006. TxDOT hopes to obtain federal approval of the EIS with a record of decision by the end of 2006.
(Public Meeting Schedule)

The Alliance for I-69 Texas does not plan to take a position on individual routes as long as the goals of the big picture, linking the U.S./Mexico border at Laredo and the Lower Rio Grande Valley to our Texas ports and on to East Texas, are met. The Alliance will facilitate local area meetings with TxDOT to support individual routes. That process began with a meeting in Austin June 29th arranged by TxDOT Executive Director Michael Behrens. After an overview by Ed Pensock and Doug Booher of the Texas Turnpike Division, local officials who are members of the Alliance were able to meet with them on local route issues.