Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Grimes County opposes Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC-69) plan

Commissioners say no to I-69

By Dave Lewis Examiner Managing Editor

The Navasota Examiner
Copyright 2005

Grimes County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Monday opposing the Trans-Texas Corridor plan through the county, bringing enthusiastic applause from more than 35 people packing the courtroom.

"I have had many calls and many visits, and I have here a petition with 1,064 signatures opposing the Trans-Texas Corridor and I-69," Pct. 4 Commissioner Pam Finke said in moving to adopt the resolution.

The decision could lend extra impetus to an anti-I-69 rally scheduled in front of the county courthouse this coming Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m.

Grimes Countians have already openly expressed disapproval of the corridor and appear determined to fight the massive Texas Department of Transportation project to the end.

Along similar lines, TxDOT representative Bryan Wood briefed those present on TxDOT plans to extend S.H. 249 from Spring to Navasota, although alignment of such a route is yet to be determined.

Although Wood said the proposed highway would have access from other highways it would cross, several of those present expressed concerns. These ranged from loss of ad valorem tax revenue, lost business, damage to habitat and loss of property to the condemnation process.

Whether he divided highway is a toll road or free is yet to be determined, but Wood indicated that if Grimes County did not participate in it, TxDOT would not likely "build a highway to nowhere."

The proposed route would bypass Tomball to the west, Magnolia to the east and terminate southeast of Navasota, either on S.H. 105 of S.H. 6.

Copyright © 2005 The Navasota Examiner. All rights reserved: www.navasotaexaminer.com

pigicon