| The Lone Star Iconoclast: Edwards Secures $7 Million For Waco Transportation
Tuesday, March 8, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Chet Edwards announced last week that legislation that would provide $284 billion in federal highway, transit, and road safety projects through 2009 was overwhelmingly approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Wednesday. The bill contains $7 million added by Edwards for highway and road improvements in McLennan County.
“I appreciate Transportation Committee ranking member Jim Oberstar supporting me in my requests for our district transportation projects,” said Edwards. “These transportation projects are crucial for the safety of our citizens, continued economic growth, and easing congestion” said Edwards, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Transportation projects create jobs today through construction and they create jobs tomorrow because transportation infrastructure attracts new business to the region.”
Funding secured for McLennan County projects includes:
- $3 million for Ritchie Road from FM 1695 to US 84, Waco — This facility will provide a four lane divided urban arterial parallel to FM 1695 in order to alleviate traffic congestion along FM 1695.
- $2 million to widen FM 1637 from FM 3051 to FM 185 — This facility proposed four lane divided will serve the rapidly growing residential and retail development by enhancing safety, increasing mobility, and relieving congestion. Because of China Springs’ recent growth, road improvements are needed to allow for continued growth in the region.
- $2 million to Construct Loop 574 from Business 77 to I-35 in McLennan County — Key objective is to construct the last segment necessary to create Business Highway 6 to provide improved access from southeastern McLennan County to downtown Waco, Cameron Park and Zoo, Waco Regional Airport, and the southeastern portion of the Brazos River corridor.
The City of Waco was pleased to hear that Edwards’ funding requests for the area were honored in the bill.
“The federal funds Waco will receive have been made possible by the dedicated efforts of Congressman Edwards and will go toward projects throughout McLennan County that, when completed, will alleviate traffic congestion and promote economic development for our citizens,” said Waco city manager Larry Groth. “We are extremely glad to see transportation dollars coming to Waco during such a tough legislative session.”
Yousry Zakhary, Woodway city manager said, “This project in Woodway is important to our future growth as well as the surrounding area. The expansion of Ritchie Rd. will serve a rapidly growing residential area and aid in relieving increasing traffic congestion along FM 1695 (Hewitt Dr.) while improving safety in the area. In the past few weeks we have seen another accident on that narrow stretch of road and this road project will certainly help to reduce the number of traffic accidents.”
The bill will go to the House floor next week for passage before heading to the Senate. The annual 2006 Transportation bill, a separate measure, is scheduled to pass later this year.
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