Representative Nevarez Introduces Legislation for Regional Transportation Corridor Plan
(Press Release) State Representative Poncho Nevarez formally introduced House Bill 2419 before the House Transportation Committee at a hearing yesterday at the State Capitol. The bill calls for the Texas Department of Transportation to conduct a study to develop a Regional Transportation Corridor Plan to address economic development, commuter safety, traffic congestion, and homeland security opportunities.
Eagle Pass Government Relations Consultant and President & CEO for EMC Strategy Group, Ernie Gonzalez, represented the City of Eagle Pass at yesterdays’ House Transportation Hearing and provided testimony in support for the transportation bill. Gonzalez stressed the city’s transportation priorities tied to U.S. Highways 57 and 277 and the potential outcomes that could result from a Regional Transportation Corridor Plan that could also support the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan (BTMP).
The transportation bill comes after 18 months of lobbying and conducting numerous meetings with senior TxDOT officials. The City of Eagle Pass has met with Chief Engineer Bill Hale, Director of Project Planning Lauren Garduno, District Engineer David Salazar, and District Administrator Melissa Montemayor, to discuss Eagle Pass’ transportation priorities and the corridor planning process. Mayor Ramsey English-Cantu also led a delegation last March to meet with Transportation Commission Chairman Bruce Bugg and Representative Nevarez to push forward the city’s request for the Regional Transportation Corridor Plan.
Since then, the city has secured 14 resolutions from cities, counties, and school districts from the Middle Rio Grande Development Council Region in support of the Regional Transportation Corridor Plan.
In the bill layout yesterday, Representative Nevarez, who also serves as Chairman for the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, highlighted Eagle Pass’ Ports of Entry and their impact on international trade and commerce. He stressed the need for the Regional Transportation Corridor Plan because it will ultimately support future transportation and infrastructure projects that will support the state’s economic development.
In 2018, over 25.2 billion in manufactured goods crossed through Eagle Pass’ two international bridges and its rail bridge. Eagle Pass daily average traffic includes: 10,000 passenger cars, 700 commercial trucks, and 3,000 pedestrians. Over 450,000 rail cars also crossed the Union Pacific operated bridge in 2018.
