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JUNE 12, 2008
PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS SUPPORTERS MADE THE DIFFERENCE ON NEW STATE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Hunter: Proposed Changes Should Benefit Port of Corpus Christi and Protect Family Farms
A revised transportation plan announced June 11 is a victory for private property rights and will still provide the Port of Corpus Christi with a vital transportation route to move freight to and from its facility, Republican House candidate Todd Hunter said today.
Hunter, a former four-term state legislator, said the proposal announced by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) should bring more local control to the transportation planning process and he gave credit to residents in rural San Patricio County for helping bring the needed changes in the transportation corridor.
“The concerns of Texans have been heard loud and clear,” Hunter said. “This new plan seems to be a cost effective way to build on the state’s transportation vision for the future. Not only does it address issues raised in rural areas of the state, including those by landowners, farmers and ranchers in San Patricio County, but it will still link the Port of Corpus Christi with major roadways to move freight in and out of the Port.”
The department on June 10 released a new map for a proposed transportation corridor, known as the Trans Texas Corridor, that sticks to expanding major highways in an effort to meet growing transportation needs across the state. TxDOT said most of the route would go along U.S. 59. In South Texas part of the superhighway would go on U.S. 281, U.S. 77 and Texas 44.
Many landowners and rural residents of District 32 had expressed opposition to the Trans Texas Corridor in Talk With Todd town hall meetings and in private meetings with Hunter over the past months. Landowners and rural residents were especially concerned about the impact on family farms and small towns throughout the district.
Hunter said he will continue to keep a close watch on actions at TxDOT and how they affect the needs of District 32. He said the revised plan is particularly important because it allows for more local control of routes established along the corridor.
“Even though this new map seems to satisfy many of the concerns raised in San Patricio County, I will continue to work to make sure that the ideas of our farmers, ranchers, landowners and small communities are considered as this project moves forward,” Hunter said. “This new map follows the footprint of existing highways so there should not be an issue of carving out new roads over valuable farm and ranch land, disrupting existing businesses or going through historical sites or land that is preserved for parks.”
“It also recognizes the enormous economic impact to District 32 and our entire region of having the best available ways to move freight through the Port of Corpus Christi,” Hunter said.
Additionally, Hunter said he was pleased that TxDot has stated it would work with local communities and residents to formulate plans for the projects in the region. Advisory committees of local residents and officials are expected to help plan the routes with TxDOT including recommending ways to fund construction of the needed routes.
Hunter is the Republican candidate for District 32 State Representative. A former four term member of the House, Hunter left to help raise his young children, promising to return to public service when they were older. His experience and ability to work across party lines to win consensus on major issues made him a leader on issues such as education, transportation and business issues during his tenure in the House where he served as chairman of the House Committee on Civil Practices.
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