Eckels In Charge Of I-69

[editor]

COUNTY JUDGE ECKELS REELECTED AS HEAD OF I-69 ALLIANCE

Houston - Harris County Judge Robert Eckels was reelected as chairman of the Alliance I-69 Texas at the Alliance's annual meeting held last week in Houston. The Alliance I-69 Texas is an advocacy group representing 34 counties from East to South Texas who works collaboratively to advance the development of I-69.

Designed by Congress as a high priority corridor, Interstate 69, when completed, will be the most direct interstate linking the industrial centers of Mexico, the United States and Canada. The 1,600 mile corridor traverses nine states. However, it will serve the entire nation. Since the Alliance was organized, Congress has dedicated more than $38 million to the development of I-69 in Texas.

In a letter dated December 7, 2004 to his constituents, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay announced, "I was pleased to work with Judge Robert Eckels and others at the Alliance for I-69 Texas to obtain approximately $8,000,000 for Interstate 69 in Texas in this year's omnibus appropriations bill. Interstate 69 is a critical project of national and international importance, and I am pleased that this funding will go a long way toward helping to develop I-69 in Texas. I appreciate the work the Alliance is doing on this transportation priority for Texans, and I look forward to continuing to champion I-69 in the years ahead."

"Majority Leader DeLay is committed to the development of I-69 and has worked tirelessly with other members of Congress to make it a reality", said Judge Eckels. "The Alliance appreciates his efforts. The development of I-69 will transform our great state into a better place with jobs and economic opportunities for future generations of Texans."

[Hunter]

Is to be a completly new as in built from scratch Intersate?

And if I remember correctly isnt there already an I-69 running from Beaumont North towards Jasper and beyond? How is this new one suppose to tie in?

[editor]

There is not. I-69 in Texas is the upgrade of U.S. 59. It will go from the Mexican border to Texarkana. Beyond that, it runs to the Canadian border in Port Huron. I've been on that stretch already. Several states are lagging behind on the project. Texas is one of them.

It's my understanding that as the highway travels south, it splits at Victoria into branches going to Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville.

[Hunter]

I just looked on a map and in Beaumont there is a I-69 that branches off of I-10. I-10 turns East and I-69 continues North towards Jasper. I-69 also turns branches off and runs down to Port Author as well. For a few short miles I-69 and I-10 are merged as they pass through Beaumont. It is right there on the Map.

So will there be 2 I-69's in our state or will one be renamed?

[editor]

I just looked on a map and in Beaumont there is a I-69 that branches off of I-10. I-10 turns East and I-69 continues North towards Jasper. I-69 also turns branches off and runs down to Port Author as well. For a few short miles I-69 and I-10 are merged as they pass through Beaumont. It is right there on the Map.

So will there be 2 I-69's in our state or will one be renamed?

That is not I-69. That is U.S. 69. U.S. routes and Interstate routes are different roads.

For example, U.S. 90 passes through Houston. Interstate 90 passes through Chicago.

For the most part, the U.S. routes were established before the interstate routes.

[ssullivan]

That is not I-69.  That is U.S. 69.  U.S. routes and Interstate routes are different roads.

For example, U.S. 90 passes through Houston.  Interstate 90 passes through Chicago.

For the most part, the U.S. routes were established before the interstate routes.

Correct and much of US 69 in Southeast Texas north of Beaumont is a two lane highway. However, TxDOT has purchased a railroad corridor and has plans for an upgrade to a controlled access facility (probably toll now) sometime in the future. This has been considered a pretty high priority project because the current highway is clogged with traffic and has a rather high accident rate. The route is also crucial for hurricane evacuations from the Golden Triangle area.

There is an Interstate 69 already, that runs north from Indianapolis to the Canadian border north of Detroit. The Interstate 69 project in Texas is supposed to continue northeast and eventually connect to the existing I-69.

[pineda]

From all that I've heard, I believe that the I-69 (NAFTA Superhighway) will be incorporated within the Trans-Texas Corridor project.

Trans-Texas Corridor

Hear Eckels and Delay talk about I-69!

[westguy]

I doubt that the part of US 59 that we're all familiar with will become part of I-69. They need to keep it out of highly congested, heavily populated areas.

[HeightsGuy]

No, they need it to come right here where the port is. Has anyone driven 59 north lately? It was overbuilt knowing that it will eventually be I-69. I think right now you can zoom all the way to Kingwood doing 70 at 5pm.

[pineda]

I-69 Corridor Study