30-Day Extension Adds to Unprecedented Public Involvement Process

AUSTIN (March 24, 2008) - The Texas Department of Transportation today announced that its request for a 30-day extension of the public comment period for the Interstate-69/Trans-Texas Corridor Tier One Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been granted. The request was approved by the Federal Highway Administration which oversees the environmental review process for transportation projects.

"Public comment plays a significant role in shaping the outcome projects like I-69/TTC," said TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz. "The Trans-Texas Corridor is the most scrutinized infrastructure project in history." Saenz noted that TxDOT has held over 500 meetings on the TTC including 254 county meetings, 95 environmental meetings and hearings on I-69/TTC, 171 environmental meetings and hearings on TTC-35, and 12 town hall meetings.

"TxDOT's request results in a 30-day extension beyond the original closing date of March 19th. The public comment period opened in December, and an extension through April 18th allows more citizens the opportunity to express their views regarding I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor," said Saenz. "We have already received over 14,000 comments regarding I-69/TTC, and although an extension may affect the projects schedule, we are committed to public awareness and public involvement."

Although no additional public hearings are scheduled for I-69/TTC, interested Texans can submit comments online at keeptexasmoving.com or mail them to I-69/TTC, P.O. Box 14428, Austin, TX 78761.

About the Texas Department of Transportation

The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its 15,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and increasing the value of the states transportation assets. Find out more at www.txdot.gov.