FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2008
CONTACT: Matt Mackowiak
Sen. Hutchison: TxDOT Decision to Pursue I-69 through Existing Right-of-Way a “Major Victory”
TxDOT Heeds Call of Sen. Hutchison, 28,000 Texans to Limit Impact on Business, Private Property
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas’ senior senator, today called an announcement by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to utilize existing right-of-way for the Texas portion of the planned I-69 highway a “major victory” for landowners, farmers, and private property rights.
“Over 28,000 Texans expressed serious concerns over TxDOT’s plan to utilize eminent domain for new routes in the construction of I-69 and how that would affect private property rights, businesses, and agricultural land,” said Sen. Hutchison. “TxDOT’s announcement that they will instead pursue existing right-of-way is a major victory for Texas private property owners, businesses, farmers and ranchers. I have long supported building I-69 in Texas on existing right-of-way because we have a significant need for added Interstate highway capacity in response to the rapid growth in our state. By using existing right-of-way, TxDOT will more efficiently utilize taxpayer dollars while also limiting the negative impact on farm land and businesses.”
On March 19, Sen. Hutchison sent a letter to the Texas Turnpike Authority Division and the Texas Division of the Federal Highway Administration urging that additional time be allowed for sufficient public comment. A 30-day extension of the public comment period was granted. Sen. Hutchison also expressed concern about the use of eminent domain and their limited analysis of existing right-of-way under the original plan for this project.
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