AUSTIN - Private resources may be sought to accelerate development of Interstate 69 - one of the state's priority transportation projects.

Authorization to request private sector proposals for I-69 is scheduled for discussion and action by the Texas Transportation Commission its February 23 meeting in Austin.

Commission approval would initiate a competitive, two-step selection process for a comprehensive development agreement (CDA). This process would begin with a formal request for qualifications, which could be issued by early March.

Proposers would be asked to submit statements detailing their experience in developing and financing transportation projects similar to I-69. These statements also would include a conceptual proposal made up of how the proposers plan to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain I-69.

Once the first step is completed, commission approval would be needed to continue with the next step - issuing a request for detailed proposals. The entire two-step CDA selection process can take approximately 15 months to complete.

With no funding set aside for construction, a CDA would allow development of the entire 600-mile multi-billion dollar project from Northeast Texas to Mexico to be accelerated. Even with private sector resources to fund the project, state transportation officials stress I-69 will remain a state-owned project.

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.