HARLINGEN, Texas - Cameron County Commissioner David Garza, a member of the Alliance for I-69 Texas, wants to see dedicated federal formula funding for multi-state future interstate highways, as part of the next Surface Transportation authorization legislation.
Garza spoke about the initiative at a State of the County Luncheon hosted by the Greater Chamber of Harlingen.
“Ninety percent of all the funding for interstate roads used to come from federal government. Today, zero percent comes from federal government. It’s all funded by the state,” Garza explained.
“So, we created what is called a Congressionally Authorized Future Interstate Coalition, which involves 22 states across the southern United States that don't have interstates, that were promised an interstate when the interstate system was put in place by President Eisenhower.”
Garza said the Congressionally Authorized Future Interstate Coalition is working to change the status quo. He pointed out that the U.S. has now gone three decades without a dedicated federal funding mechanism for planning and construction of future interstate highways.
“There's been no federal funding commitment to making these much needed connectivity corridors a reality,” Garza told Ron Whitlock Reports. “We strongly support Congress making a multi state future interstate highways formula funding program a reality.”
Ideally, the new funding should be distributed to the departments of transportation in each state, Garza said, and it should based on the number of unconstructed multi state authorized future interstate miles in each state.
“This new congressional authorization could lead to, hopefully, more federal funding for these programs. That's the next project that's on the table.”
Garza had been asked to talk about the Alliance for I-69 Texas and why it is important by moderator Manny Vela.
“I want to acknowledge the City of Harlingen, because when I first got elected, 26 years ago to this position, I got invited and cornered by the then mayor, Bill Card. That conversation was, ‘you are going to help us with the I-69 Alliance, and we're going to make an interstate here, and this is what's going to happen. And if you promise to do that, we want to be in your corner.’ So there was impetus and the push for me to be part of it.”
Garza continued: “The I-69 Alliance is a very essential organization. I have found through time that the best way to get anything done is to not do it locally, but to involve as many partners in an area as possible. And that's what the alliance is. It provides a unified regional voice that coordinates with TxDOT and federal partners to keep South Texas projects competitively funded and moving forward.”
He then explained I-69’s regional and national significance.
“It matters to Cameron County because this interstate is the backbone for Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley. Through all of the national interstate systems, it strengthens our role as a southern gateway for international trade. I-69 links international bridges, regional industrial parks, major Texas and Midwest markets, airports, and it provides jobs, investment and economic growth.”
Garza said that as one of North America's most active trade corridors, the Valley relies on I-69 to move freight effectively, efficiently, safely. It also strengthens supply chains up to the Midwest.
"Of course, it also provides safety. It also provides reduced congestion, improves access to roads, and most importantly it allows our families and friends and folks within own communities the opportunity to get to the places they want to go to.”
Historically, South Texas has not received the funding it deserved, Garza argued. The Alliance for I-69 Texas is working to address this, Garza said.
“That's something that we have not been receiving in this part of the world, I believe, at least not in my 25 years as commissioner. So we get in people's faces. We tell them what our priorities are in regard to this.”
Garza then spoke about the long-term vision.
“With this project, it positions Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley as a safer, a more resilient, a more competitive region for trade, industry and future economic growth. And I will give you a tidbit of fact that you wanted me to mention: the Pharr District and the Corpus District, which encompasses our two main interstates from the Valley today, have 41 conflicts. They're totally funded and if you driven up either one of these roads, you know that there are very few areas that are not being worked on.”
