December 4, 2019 406 PM
FAR WEST TEXAS – The window is closing to provide public comments about the Texas Department of Transportation’s Corridor Master Plan for U.S. 67. The study examines traffic patterns, dangerous roads and intersections, potential bicycle routes and much more, and the public can still provide input regarding the road that travels through Presidio, Marfa and Alpine by emailing kjohnson@blantonassociates.com by Monday, December 9.
According to TxDOT, public comments have been the most important aspect of the study. TxDOT coordinated with local leaders to conduct multiple public outreach activities between 2017 and 2019. These activities included creating a master contact list and holding numerous focus group interviews, seven Corridor Working Group meetings, three bus tours, multiple steering committee meetings, and three series of public meetings (totaling 12 meetings) during different times of the study.
Projects or transportation improvements in this part of the state can get overlooked due to larger cities with multiple transportation needs, TxDOT officials stated. The corridor study will assist in developing a master list of future potential projects and this could be used in obtaining local and federal funding for the recommended projects that are presented in the study. TxDOT and the communities can use the list of recommended projects and begin to look for funding in order to complete not only the environmental and design processes, but also for right of way purchase and construction activities, if the project is approved for funding.
At this time, TxDOT envisions that the master plan will be released by the end of this year or the early part of next year. The exact time frame to release the master plan is dependent on the volume and the extent of the public input received and the time needed to consider and address the public input.
Every single comment from the public outreach efforts was reviewed, documented, and considered in preparing recommendations that are provided in the study. Comments received through December 9, 2019 will be reviewed, documented and considered in the development of the final version of the Corridor Master Plan.
