Officials discuss solutions for I-35

By Hayley Kappes
Killeen Daily Herald

BELTON – It's been called the backbone of Texas.

Interstate 35 centrally divides the United States, from Laredo to Duluth, Minn., and is arguably one of the country's most significant highways.

Members of government, metropolitan planning organizations and others with transportation interests voiced their concerns about alleviating congestion on I-35 during a brainstorming session Monday at the Texas Department of Transportation's Waco District Area Office in Belton.

TxDOT's I-35 Corridor Segment Committee No. 2 is made up of officials along the interstate, from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to Belton.

A new way to approach the failed, and disdainfully regarded, Trans-Texas Corridor project, the committee is one of four regional groups discussing improving transportation on I-35, focusing on increased local and regional participation.

"The Trans-Texas process is a good example of what can go wrong when you approach a project of this size," said Bruce Byron, TxDOT consultant and facilitator of the committee meetings. "It was a solution but widely perceived by many as not the solution. When there is congestion on 35, it's like having a clogged artery for the whole country."

The Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC-35) was proposed as an alternative route to run parallel with I-35, and stretch about 600 miles, and in the process bypass I-35's heavily populated cities.

TTC-35 also included toll roads to help offset the project's cost.

TxDOT phased out the concept last January after it met heavy criticism from residents and lawmakers.

Committee members agreed TxDOT should address I-35 issues based on the dynamic areas it covers, and suggested performing a study on the number of freight trucks that travel on I-35.

Cinde Weatherby, transportation planner for the city of Fort Worth, said existing corridors are going unused.

"A lack of information people have on the current loops keeps them from being used and keeps congestion on I-35, especially during holiday travel. They don't know they can take these loops if they aren't from the area."

Commissioner Richard Cortese, who represents Bell County in the committee discussions, said loops off I-35 would damage Temple, Belton and Waco, which need a certain amount of traffic flow to keep businesses thriving.

"The TTC was basically a loop," Cortese said. "We have to do things a little differently than how you would address I-35 problems in DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth). That's what the TTC didn't address."

Detailed presentations about I-35's congestion solutions will be offered at the committee's next meeting in August.