Sens. Hutchison & Cornyn Introduce Legislation to Enhance Interstate Access and the Flow of Commerce Along I-69 Corridor
Press Release
U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced legislation to amend the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency of 1991 (ISTEA). This bill will increase access and ease congestion by indentifying high priority corridors along Interstate 69. This is the Senate companion to H.R. 1535 introduced by Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX- 27) on April 15, 2011 and co-sponsored by all House Members of the Texas delegation.
"This legislation will improve access and safety and ease congestion along some of the busiest highways in America. By incorporating existing high-traveled roads into the Interstate 69 corridor, the flow of commerce and workers who travel along these roads will have greater access to businesses and consumers, spurring economic activity and job creation." said Sen. Hutchison.
"I'm pleased to join Senator Hutchison in introducing this bill which will assist local leaders who have spent many years working on this project, increase access and efficiency for drivers, and take important steps toward completing the Interstate 69 corridor and finally connecting the Lower Rio Grande Valley to the Interstate Highway System," said Sen. Cornyn.
Sens. Hutchison and Cornyn's legislation allows for signage of segments in Texas that meet established interstate standards, but do not yet connect to an existing interstate. Other national corridors have historically been granted similar commonsense considerations, like southern segments of I-35 and I-37.
Current interstate requirements prevent signage of these Priority Corridors as I-69 if they do not connect to the existing interstate system. This stalls significant progress on I-69 in Texas, particularly for segments with a southern terminus at the U.S. - Mexico border.
In addition, this bill identifies an east - west segment of U.S. 83 in Texas near the southern border as a High Priority Corridor and will allow for its development as part of the I-69 system. U.S. 83 serves as a vital route for freight and passenger movement in the Lower Rio Grande Valley region of I-69.
The legislation focuses on upgrades and improvements to existing rights of way. The bill also prioritizes the goals outlined in ISTEA and echoed in subsequent authorization laws of improving highway safety, increasing trade efficiency, and encouraging economic development along this national corridor.
ISTEA authorized certain High Priority Corridors on the National Highway System, including Interstate 69. The I-69 Corridor includes approximately 1,600 miles that traverse Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. In Texas, the law directs most development of I-69 along U.S. 77, U.S. 281, and U.S. 59.
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