Damien Brockmann
In response to the traffic-logged and ever-growing I-35 corridor, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is studying how passenger rail service could alleviate traffic congestion. The Texas-Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study project has reviewed possible rail routes and types of service and has recommended alternatives for further study. The study is looking at a range of passenger rail service options along the 850-mile IH-35 corridor from Oklahoma City to South Texas.
Between now and the end of February, the agency is opening the process to public comment at public hearings in towns along the corridor. (See the schedule below.) If you cannot attend a public meeting, all materials and a comment form are available online at http://txokrail.org. You can submit your comments online or mail your comments to: Mark Werner, Rail Division, TxDOT, 125 E. 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701-2483. Comments on the draft alternatives are due February 28, 2013.A PDF of TxDOT’s “Alternatives Public Meeting Presentation,” including maps of proposed alternative routes in the North, Central, and South sections of Texas can be found here.
Public Meeting Schedule
Waco, TX
Monday, January 27
6 – 8 p.m.
Heart of Texas COG
1514 S. New Rd. Austin, TX Tuesday, January 28
6 – 8 p.m.
Cepeda Branch Austin Public Library
651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd.
McAllen, TX Wednesday, January 29
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Main McAllen Public Library
4001 N. 23rd St. Laredo, TXThursday, January 30
6 – 8 p.m.
Texas A&M Int’l University
5201 University Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK Monday, February 3
6 – 8 p.m.
Metro Tech Center
1901 Springlake Dr. Ardmore, OKTuesday, February 4
6 -8 p.m.
Ardmore Train Station
251 E. Main St.
Arlington, TX Wednesday, February 5
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
N. Central Texas COG
616 Six Flags Dr. San Antonio, TXThursday, February 6
6 – 8 p.m.
Via Metro Transit Center
1021 San Pedro Ave.
Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aides or services are requested to contact Mark Werner at (512) 486-5137 at least three days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.