Farm Bureau lists pros and cons for corridor plan
Sep 21, 2006 12:00 PM
As with any issue, the Trans Texas Corridor comes with a full set of reasons why it's a good idea and an equally complete list of why it isn't. The Texas Farm Bureau compiled the following.
PROS
What the proponents say:
The corridor paves the way — literally — to the future of Texas.
The Trans Texas Corridor will allow for much faster and safer transportation of people and freight.
It will relieve Texas' congested roadways.
It will keep hazardous materials out of populated areas.
It will improve air quality by reducing emissions and provide a safer, more reliable utility transmission system.
It will keep Texas' economy vibrant by creating new markets and jobs.
It will bring economic development to all parts of the state, but especially in economically depressed rural areas.
Industrial parks served by multimodal transportation and economic development zones built around connectivity points will foster economic growth.
The corridor will lead to the development of new cities while increasing the importance of existing cities.
Funding framework for the corridor (Proposition 15 approved by Texas voters, Nov. 6, 2001) allows innovative funding, including public-private partnerships called exclusive development agreements, and funding options like toll equity, the Texas Mobility Fund, regional mobility authorities and other sources.
Public involvement will be a key to planning and developing the corridor. During the corridor's route-selection phase, any needed changes will be identified through a detailed, project-specific process of public involvement. The public will have opportunities to comment early and often.
CONS
What opponents say:
It's designed to generate revenue first and provide transportation second.
The Corridor plan is predicated on a projection that Texas population growth will continue at a rate of 30,000 new residents a month, but does not address population distribution or how the proposed corridors will serve that population.
Corridor creates overlaps, and/or does not ideally connect, with existing highways.
The Corridor will take business away from hundreds of Texas communities by limiting traveler access and providing, in its place, State contract concessions that will include gas, food, hotels, and stores.
To protect their money, private investors may insist on terms and conditions that are contrary to the public good.
Potential for tremendous liabilities created by Comprehensive Development Agreements, controversial financing instruments.
Tolls “double tax” motorists who already pay for highways at the gasoline pump, vehicle registration counter, and at auto supply retailers.
The project authorizes the Commission to seize more than one-half million acres of private land. The property will be used not only for transportation, but as State owned rental property in direct competition with private business.
The approximately 580,000 acres consumed by the Corridor will become State land taken off county and school district tax rolls. Local taxpayers will absorb the difference.
Passenger rail doesn't work anywhere but urban areas.
The TTC will create air pollution in rural Texas.
(New Course)
