The Ellis County Press: Dierschke: Time to terminate Trans-Texas Corridor

Dierschke: Time to terminate Trans-Texas Corridor
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Editor on 04/21/2009 17:15:00


(AUSTIN) - The state's largest farm organization is in favor of legislation that
would terminate the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC) in both name and concept.
Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke expressed support for HB 11 by
State Rep. David McQuade Leibowitz (D-San Antonio), which repeals the authority
for the establishment and operation of the massive transportation project.
"We hope you will agree with us that it is finally time to kill the Trans-Texas
Corridor," Dierschke testified before the House Transportation Committee on
April 21.
Although the farm organization recognizes the need to build and maintain Texas'
infrastructure, Dierschke said Texas Farm Bureau policy clearly opposes the TTC
due to potential losses of agricultural land and the loss of access to rural
communities and private property.
"If new highways are needed, landowners should have reasonable access to their
property where farms and ranches have been divided," Dierschke said, criticizing
TTC's model of limited access. "Or, they should at least be compensated where
their property is devalued due to loss of access.
"Of course, as we have learned through the debate on eminent domain, TxDOT does
not compensate property owners for diminished access," he added.
An announcement in January by Texas Department of Transportation Executive
Director Amadeo Saenz concerning the name change—from "TTC" to "Vision 2009:
Innovative Connectivity in Texas"—does not mean the massive transportation
project is dead.
"As long as the authority remains in law to construct the TTC, it is merely
dormant—like a weed waiting for the right conditions to grow again," Dierschke
said.
If the TTC is in fact "dead," Dierschke said there would be no further need for
the authority under Chapter 227 of the Transportation Code for the
establishment, designation, construction or operation of a system of multimodal
facilities, including toll roads, rail facilities and utilities.
"The sensible course of action is to repeal these laws," he suggested. "There
are adequate financing tools for new highways and other roadways found in other
chapters of the Transportation Code."
ABOUT THE TEXAS FARM BUREAU
The Texas Farm Bureau works to provide a voice for Texas farmers, ranchers,
rural citizens and everyone interested in preserving and protecting this way of
life.  More on the Web at:
Texas Farm Bureau website
TFB Eminent Domain website
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