Partner sought to accelerate long-awaited project

(LUFKIN) - The search is on for a long-term strategic partner to accelerate development of Interstate 69/Trans-Texas Corridor - one of the state's priority transportation projects.

A formal request to the private sector invites proposals for developing I-69/TTC, a 600-mile multi-use transportation corridor extending from Northeast Texas to Mexico.

"It is apparent to the Texas Transportation Commission that neither the federal government nor the state government has the resources to pay for I-69," said Ric Williamson, chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. "Private investment is our best alternative to move forward on this important project."

The request for qualifications, issued by the Texas Department of Transportation, initiates a competitive, two-step selection process to develop a public-private partnership for I-69/TTC. Proposers would be asked to submit statements detailing their experience in developing and financing large, multimodal transportation projects.

These statements also would include a conceptual proposal to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain I-69/TTC. Conceptual proposals are due by June 7, 2006.

The Texas Transportation Commission would need to approve the next step - issuing a request for detailed proposals. The entire two-step selection process can take approximately 15 months to complete.

With no funding set aside for construction, a public-private partnership would allow the development of I-69/TTC - a multi-billion dollar transportation project - to be accelerated. Even with private sector resources to fund the project, state transportation officials stress I-69/TTC will remain a state-owned project.

"Our goal is to take advantage of private sector innovation and investment to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity and improve air quality," said Michael Behrens, TxDOT executive director.

On a parallel yet independent track, work continues on the initial environmental study that would narrow the current study area to approximately four miles wide. Subsequent studies will be needed to determine a final route for the project.

Interstate 69 is being developed under the Trans-Texas Corridor master plan. If environmentally approved, the project would be developed as needed and as private sector resources are available.