Caustic Burno
Well-known member
TTC detailed at March 1 meeting
By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition
MARCH 15, 2007 – Texans from all over the state merged at the Capitol on March 1 to have their say about the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC).
While meetings have reportedly been held around the state to get "input" from citizens on the subject, this meeting was called by state senators who were eager to speak with state transportation officials concerning toll roads around the state. Senators on the podium included Kirk Watson, D-Austin; Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth; and John Carona, R-Dallas. Carona serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security.
The March 1 meeting also allowed Texas citizens three minutes each to share their thoughts on the TTC plan during the day-long (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) event.
The gathered crowd was large ... and some people had to view the meeting via wide screen, presented live from the main auditorium where the proceedings were held.
Many of the speakers represented small ranchers and farmers who could lose land and access to their private property, if TTC continues the way it has been proposed.
Mark Scott, speaking for Texas Farm Bureau, said most "farm roots organizations" oppose TTC. Scott, a cow/calf/hay producer and McLennan County TFB president, explained that their concerns included the construction of new roads using the same right-a-ways; new land being taken over without access to rural land; and the right to take over the property through condemnation.
Other concerns expressed by speakers included the toll projects being awarded to foreign builders, such as the Spanish Cintra, and projects such as the proposed Highway 130 toll road, which lists only two lanes, each way.
Many questioned why, if the toll roads are destined to be built, couldn't the highways already in place, such as Interstate 35, just be improved and expanded, rather that start from "scratch" with entirely new roads.
A major point of contention dealt with "local control," along with allowing a private corporation to make money off private land and landowners.
Jeff Mosley of the Greater Houston Partnership noted that Harris County would rather "take care of its own toll roads," rather that allow Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to take over.
Another comment concerned the fact that "rural areas shouldn't have to pay for urban congestion." According to the senators, projections are that by 2015, there would be 15 percent less traffic off regular highways, with 23 percent expected by 2030.
Many questioned whether raising the gas tax might be a better idea to "fix" Texas roads, rather than hire a private builder with "up-front" money. Even if the tolls start at a lower rate, the general consensus at the March 1 meeting seemed to be that the tolls will continue to rise in years to come.
Other speakers questioned why there has been so much "secrecy" around the project and quoted that it took 175 filings of Freedom of Information forms to gain details of the project ... and still, complete details are not available.
The safety of trucks and drivers coming through Texas from Mexico was questioned, along with "avoided" tariffs, and others wondered why "Texas should put all its eggs in one basket," referring to the TTC.
Along those lines, it was brought up that if the TTC is built as proposed, it would offer terrorists a major target that could shut down Texas, as well as the rest of the nation, should it be attacked.
Finally, it seemed to be the general consensus that Texans should be given the right to vote on the TTC issue, and that elected officials need to be "… brave enough to draw upon the wisdom of the people who elected them to office" ... especially, if they want to be re-elected!
By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition
MARCH 15, 2007 – Texans from all over the state merged at the Capitol on March 1 to have their say about the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC).
While meetings have reportedly been held around the state to get "input" from citizens on the subject, this meeting was called by state senators who were eager to speak with state transportation officials concerning toll roads around the state. Senators on the podium included Kirk Watson, D-Austin; Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth; and John Carona, R-Dallas. Carona serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security.
The March 1 meeting also allowed Texas citizens three minutes each to share their thoughts on the TTC plan during the day-long (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) event.
The gathered crowd was large ... and some people had to view the meeting via wide screen, presented live from the main auditorium where the proceedings were held.
Many of the speakers represented small ranchers and farmers who could lose land and access to their private property, if TTC continues the way it has been proposed.
Mark Scott, speaking for Texas Farm Bureau, said most "farm roots organizations" oppose TTC. Scott, a cow/calf/hay producer and McLennan County TFB president, explained that their concerns included the construction of new roads using the same right-a-ways; new land being taken over without access to rural land; and the right to take over the property through condemnation.
Other concerns expressed by speakers included the toll projects being awarded to foreign builders, such as the Spanish Cintra, and projects such as the proposed Highway 130 toll road, which lists only two lanes, each way.
Many questioned why, if the toll roads are destined to be built, couldn't the highways already in place, such as Interstate 35, just be improved and expanded, rather that start from "scratch" with entirely new roads.
A major point of contention dealt with "local control," along with allowing a private corporation to make money off private land and landowners.
Jeff Mosley of the Greater Houston Partnership noted that Harris County would rather "take care of its own toll roads," rather that allow Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to take over.
Another comment concerned the fact that "rural areas shouldn't have to pay for urban congestion." According to the senators, projections are that by 2015, there would be 15 percent less traffic off regular highways, with 23 percent expected by 2030.
Many questioned whether raising the gas tax might be a better idea to "fix" Texas roads, rather than hire a private builder with "up-front" money. Even if the tolls start at a lower rate, the general consensus at the March 1 meeting seemed to be that the tolls will continue to rise in years to come.
Other speakers questioned why there has been so much "secrecy" around the project and quoted that it took 175 filings of Freedom of Information forms to gain details of the project ... and still, complete details are not available.
The safety of trucks and drivers coming through Texas from Mexico was questioned, along with "avoided" tariffs, and others wondered why "Texas should put all its eggs in one basket," referring to the TTC.
Along those lines, it was brought up that if the TTC is built as proposed, it would offer terrorists a major target that could shut down Texas, as well as the rest of the nation, should it be attacked.
Finally, it seemed to be the general consensus that Texans should be given the right to vote on the TTC issue, and that elected officials need to be "… brave enough to draw upon the wisdom of the people who elected them to office" ... especially, if they want to be re-elected!
