AUSTIN, Texas - Three Rio Grande Valley leaders spoke at a Texas Transportation Commission meeting in support of a motion that adds a 2nd Causeway to South Padre Island to the State Highway System.
The three were Texas Transportation Commissioner Alex Meade, Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization Chairman David Fuentes, and Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr.
Meade, a Rio Grande Valley native, proposed the motion, which passed unanimously.
The motion was laid out by Humberto “Tito” Gonzalez, Jr., director of Transportation Planning and Programming Division.
Gonzalez said:
“Cameron County and the Pharr District (of TxDOT) request that the Commission considers approving the designation of SH 104 on a new location on the state highway system, from FM 106 eastward to Park Road 100 on South Padre Island, a distance of approximately 11.1 miles, to be determined at the conclusion of the ongoing environmental process. Staff recommends approval of this minute order.”
TTC Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., asked if anyone had a comment to make.
"Mr. Chairman, I do have a comment. Tito, thank you for the information. I just wanted to point out, Chairman, that this Minute Order is an important step for the development of the 2nd Causeway project connecting State Highway 104 in Laguna Vista, just north of Brownsville and South Padre Island.
"Governor Abbott has been actively involved in ensuring this project has developed. However, this is only the first step in planning and constructing the 2nd Causeway. By adding this location to the state highway system TxDOT can more directly participate alongside the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority in the environmental review process. The environmental review process will determine the feasibility and proposed location the bridge.
"Like other projects around the state, if the 2nd Causeway project moves forward after environmental review process it will require significant partnership between TxDOT, the local entities including the CCRMA and the Rio Grande Valley MPO. Local partners will need to participate in providing significant local funding, along with TxDOT funding to fund this project.
"This commission strives for local communities to prioritize funding on their top priority projects and this instance is no difference. The local community has been discussing the idea of a 2nd Causeway for 20 years now. So I'm excited that the commission has taken this step today and I look forward to hearing progress updates on the environmental review process."
After Commissioner Meade’s remarks, Chairman Bugg said two members of the public had signed up to comment on the motion. They were Chairman Fuentes and Judge Treviño. Here are their remarks:
"Good morning, Chairman, Commissioners Director Williams. My name is David FuentesFuentes. I stand here before you as the chairman of the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization.
"So again, good morning, thank you for the opportunity to to speak. It's an absolute honor to stand before you as the chairman of the RGVMPO. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Chairman Bugg and every member of the transportation commission. Your commitment to our region's prosperity and security is deeply acknowledged.
"Over the course of the last couple of years it has been my privilege to witness the transformational projects that have taken root in our region. We have overseen vital endeavors that have laid the foundation for economic growth and enhanced security.
"The expansion of the veterans bridge in Brownsville, the 365 Tollway in Hidalgo County, the introduction of the Fuego toll tag in Cameron County, the IBTC project in Hidalgo County, and the successful completion of the West Rail Trail conversion project in collaboration with Union Pacific are just a few examples of the progress that we've achieved together.
"This morning I stand before you in full support of the South Padre Island 2nd Causeway project. This is a much needed project that will provide safety and economic benefits to the entire region and to the entire state. I applaud the Texas Department of Transportation for stepping up in consideration of this request and providing the leadership necessary to bring this project closer to reality.
"In closing, I express my utmost gratitude to each of you. The journey ahead is shared is a shared one. Much like the comments that Commissioner Meade made, locally we will support (TxDOT) in every way possible. But it is a shared vision defined by collaboration, innovation and dedication to the prosperity and security of our communities. We will proceed with that purpose and vision. United in the pursuit of a brighter future for the Rio Grande Valley and all of the State of Texas. Thank you."
"Good morning Chairman Bugg, members of the Texas Transportation Commission, Director Williams. My name is Eddie Trevino, Jr., and I'm honored to serve as the Cameron County judge and most recently as a chair of the RGVMPO.
"I want to personally thank Governor Abbott and Chairman Bruce Bugg for their interest and their commitment in transportation infrastructure in the RGV. Thank you for placing this minute order dealing with 2nd Causeway in South Padre Island on the agenda for today. And thank you for the opportunity to provide these brief remarks. I will try to keep them brief, Chairman.
"We're experiencing exciting times in the RGV. We need TxDOT’s support to ensure that we have the necessary infrastructure in place so that we may benefit from all the growth that we're experiencing.
"This is a momentous day for the Rio Grande Valley, for Cameron County, the City of South Padre Island and obviously for the state of Texas. I'm glad to see that this item is being considered which reflects the interests in the need for this project.
"I want to thank the many individuals that have been played a part in this project for having the perseverance, the vision, and the determination to get this project to this stage in this process.
"Chairman Bug and members of the commission, a second causeway will ensure the growth along with the safety aspect of South Padre Island. It will improve and spur the economic development of Cameron County, of the RGV in the entire state of Texas.
"I recall Chairman Bugg, a few years ago you and I were doing a tour of SpaceX and we were talking about Highway 4 and realizing that the idea of Highway 4 was to get people to and from the beach, never to be shuttling thousands and thousands of employees on a daily basis. And you asked me what else can we do, as we were talking about expanding and resurfacing Highway 4. I asked you to turn around. I said look right over there, Chairman. I said, we need that 2nd Causeway and you said, that is a pretty sight.
"I also want to commend and thank the Governor. A few years ago he challenged the Valley. He spoke to several leaders including myself. Many times he said, if you can merge these MPOs, Judge, if you can get this done, it’ll help us help you. He has been a man of his word.
"While we consider this item today it's important to look ten, 20 and 50 years into the future and visualize the importance that this project will have. Together with TxDOT we stand ready to ensure that this project becomes a reality.
"Chairman Bugg, we've introduced letters of support from our United States Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, from the RGVMPO and from every member of the Rio Grande Valley delegation, including representative Terry Canales, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, the mayors of Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito, South Padre Island, Port Isabel, McAllen, Pharr, Mission, Edinburg and the county judges from Hidalgo, Willacy and Starr counties. These letters of support show that this crucial project will benefit the state of Texas.
"I want to recognize (those) with us here today, members of my own Commissioner's Court, Commissioner Sofia Benavides, Commissioner (David) Garza and Mayor Patrick McNulty and City Commissioner Joe Ricco from South Padre Island.
"Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley have proven in the past that we are willing to put skin in the game. We're willing to invest and take the monetary risk to reach the goals that provide the outcomes that benefit all of us, and our national, state and local stakeholders. We look forward to the continued partnership with TxDOT and we look forward to more aggressively developing the transportation infrastructure we still urgently need.
"While I'm here today in support of the 2nd Causeway to South Padre, the acceleration and completion of US 77 and 281 into interstate standard corridors, the I-69 connector, the East Loop, the IBTC, the Outer Parkway, the direct connectors on Bryan Road in Mission are all vital to the economic growth of the Rio Grande Valley and the state of Texas.
"In closing, I want to express my utmost gratitude once again to Governor Greg Abbott, to Chairman Bugg and to each of you (TTC commissioners) and Director Williams. We must continue to collaborate and dedicate our efforts towards the prosperity and security of our communities. For too long the Rio Grande Valley has been economically deprived because of the lack of transportation infrastructure. We look forward to being part of the process for going from the eighth largest to the seventh largest economy in the world.
"May God continue to bless each and every one of you, Cameron County, the Rio Grande Valley, and obviously the great State of Texas. Thank you for having us here today."
In response, Chairman Bugg said to Judge Treviño: “I really appreciate your comments today.”
Bugg then asked for the motion “to approve designating State Highway 104 on a new location on the State Highway System in accordance with staff recommendations.”
“I make a motion,” Meade offered. It was seconded by Commissioner Robert C. Vaughn.
It was passed unanimously with applause from the audience.
“A little bit of history, today,” Bugg said, as the applause died down.
