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General Location
The proposed TTC-35 corridor generally parallels I-35. The initial study area is approximately 600 miles long, extending from north of Dallas/Forth Worth to Mexico and possibly the Gulf Coast.
Environmental Study
The TTC-35 Project is currently still in the first phase (Tier One) of the environmental process, which began in Spring 2004. As part of Tier One, TxDOT has held 117 public meetings and 54 public hearings to receive public input on broad potential locations for the corridor. The public hearings were held in Summer 2006 to present to the public a 10-mile wide recommended narrowed study area (known as the Preferred Corridor Alternative) that begins in Gainesville and runs south to Laredo, as published in the Tier One Draft Environmental Impact Statement in April 2006. TxDOT received over 6,000 comments from these hearings. These comments have been reviewed and incorporated into the Tier One Final Environmental Impact Statement, which is currently undergoing technical review. This phase of the environmental study will result in a preferred corridor no more than 10 miles wide or a no-build option. If the Federal Highway Administration selects the recommended preferred corridor alternative, the project would proceed into the second phase (Tier Two) of the environmental process. During this phase, specific proposed alignments for highways or other modes and potential access points would be identified, and additional meetings and hearings would occur to solicit public input.
Construction
No construction contracts have been awarded. In March 2005, TxDOT and Cintra-Zachry signed a comprehensive development agreement for TTC-35. This agreement authorizes a $3.5 million planning effort only.
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