SR144 - Recognizing TEX-21 and TxDOT for their efforts to improve transportation infrastructure.

          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 144          WHEREAS, Multimodal transportation infrastructure is crucial   to the vitality of the Texas economy, facilitating the movement of   goods and people, and the Transportation Excellence for the 21st   Century organization, or TEX-21, is working with the Texas   Department of Transportation to address transportation issues along   the US 287 corridor; and          WHEREAS, The population of Texas has surpassed 30 million and   continues to grow rapidly, placing increasing stress on our aging   transportation systems; that pressure is especially evident in regard   to the 754-mile-long course of US 287 in Texas, which includes 261   cities, 43 counties, 9 TxDOT districts, and 4 areas overseen by   metropolitan planning organizations; the corridor serves   approximately 36 percent of the state's population across a vast area;   beginning in the Beaumont-Port Arthur-Sabine Pass, Jefferson County   area, it passes near the Greater Houston area, through rural East   Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, and continues   along the Red River through Childress County and rural North Texas,   into Amarillo and the Panhandle; it extends north through the central   United States and the Rocky Mountains into Canada; and          WHEREAS, US 287 is a vital transportation route that supports   economic development by connecting key regions of the state; it   facilitates the movement of goods and people from the vital seaports   of Jefferson County, including Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Sabine   Pass, to other parts of the state; unfortunately, much of the US 287   infrastructure is outdated and inadequate, limiting economic growth   and compromising safety and efficiency along this major freight and   passenger corridor; and          WHEREAS, TEX-21 is a statewide coalition of cities, counties,   transit agencies, universities, and private businesses focused on   improving transportation; its members joined in forming the US 287   Corridor Coalition to advocate for significant and consistent   improvements, including the conversion of US 287 to interstate   highway standards and status; in response to TEX-21's advocacy, the   transportation planning and programming division of TxDOT is   conducting the US 287 Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study; and          WHEREAS, All those associated with this valuable initiative   are demonstrating a laudable commitment to advancing the safety,   mobility, connectivity, and resilience of the state's transportation   system, and their dedicated work is indeed deserving of recognition;   now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby commend the Transportation Excellence for the   21st Century organization, its US 287 Corridor Coalition, and the   Texas Department of Transportation for their efforts to improve   transportation infrastructure in the Lone Star State; and, be it   further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be   prepared for TEX-21 and TxDOT as an expression of high regard   from the Texas Senate.     Parker                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on February 27, 2025.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate