Grass roots group remains concerned about highway planning
By Donna McCollum
KTRE-TV
NACOGDOCHES, TX - Thursday night a half a million dollars was approved by the U.S. House for I-69 Texas. The funds will be used to expedite the U.S. Transportation's environmental review to advance I-69. Today the I-69 Alliance publicly praised the legislation. The funding level for I-69 FY 2010 will be determined later this fall when the Senate spending bill is determined.
Meanwhile, the issue remains a topic in national, state and local politics. Tuesday night in Nacogdoches, another group is talking transportation issues with State Representative Jim McReynolds. The Piney Woods Sub-Regional Planning Commission (PWSRPC) is keeping a close watch on future transportation issues, includiing a loop by-pass around Nacogdoches, Lufkin and as far south as Diboll.
It's a good idea for moving people quickly, but could be a bad one if the route hampers accessibility to other roadways and towns. "Say on South Street, here in Nacogdoches, where you've already got a lot of businesses and you've got a lot of hotels," Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English began. "Are they going to try to move it (roadway) over a little bit either one side to the left or the right because they don't want the expense of having to replace all those businesses?," the judge questioned. "And so when they start moving it we've got the same issues we had before and that's taking the grass roots mom and pop property."
Sub-regional planning commissions remain in existence along the I-69 route despite recent legislative efforts to disband them. Members are determined to have their voices heard before the Texas Department of Transportation. "We want them to know that we're still looking at it and we're still addressing it and when the planning and the meetings are put together we want to be a part of them," English said.
The commission is gathering information for a rural transportation plan. Members have gatherings planned in Garrison and Chireno. "We'll develop a plan for each community and what their needs and concerns are for transportation in their community," Jan Tracy, a PWSRPC volunteer explained. "And then we'll come back and compile all that together and present that to TxDOT."
Another concern is the financing method chosen. The group questions toll roads and who will own the toll money.
It's a grass roots mission that remains even after the state says the Trans Texas Corridor has gone away.
© 2009 WorldNow and KTRE: www.ktre.com
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
State Rep. McReynolds To Speak at PWSRPC Meeting
Submitted by Jan Tracy
Shelby County Today
The Piney Woods Sub-Regional Planning Commission (PWSRPC) will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, July 28, at 6 PM at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex.
Guest speaker will be Texas State Rep. Jim McReynolds. The public is encouraged to attend and will be invited to ask questions. Representative McReynolds will explain new laws that were passed in the 2009 legislative session and how those laws will affect East Texas and our local economy.
The PWSRPC is currently gathering information to draft a Rural Transportation Plan for Nacogdoches and the surrounding counties and is asking the public to submit their suggestions for improving local transportation. The upgrading of Hwy 59 to Interstate status remains a key issue for our area as any traffic that is routed through or around Lufkin and Nacogdoches will impact nearby businesses and affect local traffic flow.
Traffic congestion continues to be a problem at certain sections along Hwy 59. TxDOT is currently restudying a plan that was devised several years ago for a loop/by-pass around Lufkin and Nacogdoches.
This loop/by-pass system has 2 major issues that will affect our local economy and everyday means of travel. The first issue concerns accessibility of local roadways and the second is financing for the construction. Thru traffic will need easy access on and off of this ‘loop’ to visit our local businesses. Accesses for local traffic for driving to work or school and for emergency vehicles will need to be considered. The financing method chosen for this ‘loop’ will dictate whether or not a toll will be collected and who will own the toll money.
If you are unable to attend this meeting but would like to submit comments or ask questions please contact State Representative Jim McReynolds at 936-634-9786 or call 936-462-8848 for further information.
© 2009 Shelby County Today: www.shelbycountytoday.com
Submitted by Jan Tracy
Shelby County Today
The Piney Woods Sub-Regional Planning Commission (PWSRPC) will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, July 28, at 6 PM at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex.
Guest speaker will be Texas State Rep. Jim McReynolds. The public is encouraged to attend and will be invited to ask questions. Representative McReynolds will explain new laws that were passed in the 2009 legislative session and how those laws will affect East Texas and our local economy.
The PWSRPC is currently gathering information to draft a Rural Transportation Plan for Nacogdoches and the surrounding counties and is asking the public to submit their suggestions for improving local transportation. The upgrading of Hwy 59 to Interstate status remains a key issue for our area as any traffic that is routed through or around Lufkin and Nacogdoches will impact nearby businesses and affect local traffic flow.
Traffic congestion continues to be a problem at certain sections along Hwy 59. TxDOT is currently restudying a plan that was devised several years ago for a loop/by-pass around Lufkin and Nacogdoches.
This loop/by-pass system has 2 major issues that will affect our local economy and everyday means of travel. The first issue concerns accessibility of local roadways and the second is financing for the construction. Thru traffic will need easy access on and off of this ‘loop’ to visit our local businesses. Accesses for local traffic for driving to work or school and for emergency vehicles will need to be considered. The financing method chosen for this ‘loop’ will dictate whether or not a toll will be collected and who will own the toll money.
If you are unable to attend this meeting but would like to submit comments or ask questions please contact State Representative Jim McReynolds at 936-634-9786 or call 936-462-8848 for further information.
© 2009 Shelby County Today: www.shelbycountytoday.com
Friday, January 16, 2009
PWSRPC Hosts Meeting with TxDOT, EPA Feb 5th
Press Release
Piney Woods SRPC
Copyright 2009
The Piney Woods Sub-Regional Planning Commission (PWSRPC) took another step in the process of maintaining local control of future highway construction during a meeting held with TxDOT representatives last week.
The over-flow capacity crowd of public supporters caused the PWSRPC-TxDOT meeting to be moved to a much larger meeting room in the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex. This did not miss the attention of the three TxDOT officials, two of which were from the Austin Office, and the panel of consultants TxDOT brought with them, as nearly a hundred local citizens turned out to hear the Planning Commission's President, Hank Gilbert, grill TxDOT as to their plans.
Doug Booher, 'on the scene' Environmental Manager stated, "We're not going to pursue the 4,000 mile network. We are going to continue to pursue two individual projects; one of them would be the I-35 corridor project and the other one would be the I-69 corridor project."
When asked the question from the attending audience about a loop that once was planned to go around the West side of Nacogdoches, Booher stated, "I'm sure those plans would be dusted off and looked at again."
He also stated the name 'Trans Texas Corridor' would be 'phased out' and mentioned several times that tolling and public/private partnerships (by foreign investors) would still be an option in TxDOT's transportation plans.
Hank Gilbert also expressed to PWSRPC members that he is concerned about legislation Governor Perry may try to pass that would eliminate SRPC's, such as the Piney Woods. "We have people watching out for such legislation and if it is introduced, we will need for the citizens of Texas to call their Representatives and let them know that they want to keep their local SRPC's," Gilbert stated.
The strong show of public support for the PWSRPC's meeting with TxDOT validates the desire of the public for input and information.
The NEXT Piney Woods Sub-Regional Planning Commission meeting will be with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Representatives on Thursday, February 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the Nacogdoches County Annex.
This will also be an open meeting and the public is urged to attend. As Board Member Larry Shelton has stated, "You are either at the table or you are on the menu."
Press Release
Piney Woods SRPC
Copyright 2009
The Piney Woods Sub-Regional Planning Commission (PWSRPC) took another step in the process of maintaining local control of future highway construction during a meeting held with TxDOT representatives last week.
The over-flow capacity crowd of public supporters caused the PWSRPC-TxDOT meeting to be moved to a much larger meeting room in the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex. This did not miss the attention of the three TxDOT officials, two of which were from the Austin Office, and the panel of consultants TxDOT brought with them, as nearly a hundred local citizens turned out to hear the Planning Commission's President, Hank Gilbert, grill TxDOT as to their plans.
Doug Booher, 'on the scene' Environmental Manager stated, "We're not going to pursue the 4,000 mile network. We are going to continue to pursue two individual projects; one of them would be the I-35 corridor project and the other one would be the I-69 corridor project."
When asked the question from the attending audience about a loop that once was planned to go around the West side of Nacogdoches, Booher stated, "I'm sure those plans would be dusted off and looked at again."
He also stated the name 'Trans Texas Corridor' would be 'phased out' and mentioned several times that tolling and public/private partnerships (by foreign investors) would still be an option in TxDOT's transportation plans.
Hank Gilbert also expressed to PWSRPC members that he is concerned about legislation Governor Perry may try to pass that would eliminate SRPC's, such as the Piney Woods. "We have people watching out for such legislation and if it is introduced, we will need for the citizens of Texas to call their Representatives and let them know that they want to keep their local SRPC's," Gilbert stated.
The strong show of public support for the PWSRPC's meeting with TxDOT validates the desire of the public for input and information.
The NEXT Piney Woods Sub-Regional Planning Commission meeting will be with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Representatives on Thursday, February 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the Nacogdoches County Annex.
This will also be an open meeting and the public is urged to attend. As Board Member Larry Shelton has stated, "You are either at the table or you are on the menu."
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
State Officials change Corridor Plan
By Donna McCollum
KTRE-TV (Lufkin - Nacodoches)
Copyright 2008
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TX - By trade Larry Shelton is a woodworker. When he's not building cabinets he joins the thousands of East Texas property owners in the fight against the Trans Texas Corridor.
"We were right in the middle of the proper corridor," said Shelton of his rural Nacogdoches County home. The voting member of the Piney Woods Sub Regional Planning Commission is the local voice facing state and federal agencies. He's not easily convinced hearing the news that TX Dot is calling TTC dead. "I'm not really surprised that it took TxDOT 5 years to come to the same conclusion that the people of Texas arrived at immediately," said Shelton.
In Martinsville, the corridor would have sliced right through the school district. Children wrote letters to government offices begging them to reconsider. But the children won't be learning a lesson of victory from their teacher, Jan Tracy, another grassroots advocate against the TTC. "It's very broad," referring to a law passed in 2003 supporting the transportation system. " "And until that law is changed in our legislative session this spring, they can still do whatever they want to do. That's what we're concerned about. "
You'll find the Independent Texans blog claiming "partial victory in fighting the mammoth Trans-Texas Corridor", but writers still call it a "TxDOT spin".
Major corridor projects will now comprise several small segments overseen by local interests. Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English is serving on the segment committee that runs from texarkana to the Angelina River bridge. "In the segment that will go through Nacogdoches County we'll have public hearings on it and get the public's input one more time. "
Like the corridor route, the debate is taking a different direction. You'll hear more opposition concerning toll roads and the use of private public contracts. The issues remain, no matter what the Trans Texas Corridor is called.
Gov. Rick Perry, during a conference call from Iraq, said the smaller version isn't a rejection of his vision. He says his office will continue to work with legislative leaders on building more highways.
Meanwhile, the Piney Woods Sub Regional Planning Commission will meet with TxDOT on January 22nd at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse.
© 2009 WorldNow and KTRE: www.ktre.com
By Donna McCollum
KTRE-TV (Lufkin - Nacodoches)
Copyright 2008
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TX - By trade Larry Shelton is a woodworker. When he's not building cabinets he joins the thousands of East Texas property owners in the fight against the Trans Texas Corridor.
"We were right in the middle of the proper corridor," said Shelton of his rural Nacogdoches County home. The voting member of the Piney Woods Sub Regional Planning Commission is the local voice facing state and federal agencies. He's not easily convinced hearing the news that TX Dot is calling TTC dead. "I'm not really surprised that it took TxDOT 5 years to come to the same conclusion that the people of Texas arrived at immediately," said Shelton.
In Martinsville, the corridor would have sliced right through the school district. Children wrote letters to government offices begging them to reconsider. But the children won't be learning a lesson of victory from their teacher, Jan Tracy, another grassroots advocate against the TTC. "It's very broad," referring to a law passed in 2003 supporting the transportation system. " "And until that law is changed in our legislative session this spring, they can still do whatever they want to do. That's what we're concerned about. "
You'll find the Independent Texans blog claiming "partial victory in fighting the mammoth Trans-Texas Corridor", but writers still call it a "TxDOT spin".
Major corridor projects will now comprise several small segments overseen by local interests. Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English is serving on the segment committee that runs from texarkana to the Angelina River bridge. "In the segment that will go through Nacogdoches County we'll have public hearings on it and get the public's input one more time. "
Like the corridor route, the debate is taking a different direction. You'll hear more opposition concerning toll roads and the use of private public contracts. The issues remain, no matter what the Trans Texas Corridor is called.
Gov. Rick Perry, during a conference call from Iraq, said the smaller version isn't a rejection of his vision. He says his office will continue to work with legislative leaders on building more highways.
Meanwhile, the Piney Woods Sub Regional Planning Commission will meet with TxDOT on January 22nd at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse.
© 2009 WorldNow and KTRE: www.ktre.com
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