This is the official Texas Department of Transportation Trans-Texas Corridor Plan, adopted June 2002

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Crossroads of the Americas:
Trans Texas Corridor Plan                     
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Looking Down the Road - Executive Summary - Action Plan - Planning - Design - Environmental - Right of Way - Toll - Rail - Dedicated Utility Zone > Finance
 

Dedicated Utility Zone

Overview

The utility component of the Trans Texas Corridor includes infrastructure for the movement of oil and natural gas, water, electricity and data.

When completed, the utility component of the corridor will:

• Reduce the chances of pipeline damage and the related safety and environmental consequences. Third party contractors and individuals unaware of a pipeline’s presence cause the majority of these accidents. By placing pipelines in clearly designated utility zones, the likelihood of such incidents is greatly reduced.

• Improve the efficiency of pipeline product movement. Existing systems are irregularly placed, cover short distances and carry relatively low volumes.

• Provide additional capacity for electrical transmission systems.  Limitations in existing transmission systems have jeopardized service, affected consumer choice of providers and limited market transactions.

• Facilitate the transfer of vitally needed water over long distances.  If Gulf of Mexico desalination systems are developed, the corridor system could carry fresh water to areas of Texas desperately needing this vital natural resource.

• Improve cost-effectiveness of providing advanced telecommunications and data transmission to all areas of the state.

Benchmarks

The existing Texas petroleum and petroleum product pipeline infrastructure

• Includes more than 250,000 miles of oil and natural gas pipelines. Some of these lines traverse proposed corridor routes.

• Has specific volume needs for natural gas or petroleum product delivery.

• Has interstate connectivity on major distribution systems.

• Has the right of eminent domain for utility and common carrier pipelines. Some lines are permitted within TxDOT rights of way.

Existing water line infrastructure

• Has more than 1,200 water conveyance systems with little interconnectivity.

• Provides groundwater sources throughout the state. These supply 51 percent of Texas’ demands.

• Includes surface water reservoirs, primarily in East Texas. These supply the balance of the state’s water needs.

Electrical and data transmission systems

• Current electrical transmission systems meet Texas’ needs, but future demand is expected to exceed capacity.

• While the vast majority of Texans have ready access to basic communication services, access to advanced telecommunications and data transmission services is necessary for economic development and participation in the global economy.

• Development of industrial sites and other businesses is driven by the presence of quality data transmission infrastructure. A recent Public Utility Commission report concluded that agricultural reliance on electronic commerce is expected to approach $70 billion in 2003.

Pipelines

• Petroleum pipelines generate a high level of public concern, due to land-use issues and proximity to large populations. Placing pipelines in a dedicated utility zone traversing unpopulated areas would help alleviate these concerns.

• Current systems would need to be expanded to connect with the corridor.

• More right of way acquisition will be necessary to accommodate other facilities associated with these pipelines. These include compressor and pump stations, aboveground valve stations and above-ground storage facilities.

Challenges

Water lines

• Existing systems are irregularly placed around the state, cover short distances and carry relatively small volumes.

• Numerous local and regional water authorities control existing systems.

• Though long-distance water transfers from Gulf of Mexico desalination systems are discussed in the current Texas water plan, no construction plans have been developed.

Electrical systems

• Limitations in the existing transmission systems have jeopardized service, affected market participants’ choice of providers and limited market transactions.

• Some parts of the existing transmission systems are approaching load limits. From 1994 to 2001, while very few bulk transmission facilities were added to Texas’ transmission system, peak demand grew 24.6 percent.

• The Electric Reliability Council of Texas reports that putting new electrical generation facilities on line may create additional problems unless existing transmission systems are upgraded to accommodate increased loads.

Telecommunication systems

• Most competitive and innovative services are available only in densely populated areas.

• Service providers have found capacity to move data to and from the Internet is insufficient in some areas.

• New technologies require significant investments to upgrade existing infrastructure or build new infrastructure.

Petroleum and petroleum product lines

• Identifying specific bypass corridors for pipelines would reduce public apprehension regarding construction across private property and near residential development.

• Capacity issues would be clarified by conducting a survey of large operators.

• Pipeline designs within the corridor would require state agency permitting and regulatory oversight.

• Even with the state as owner, current pipeline operators could lease, operate and maintain the facility.

• With access limited to operators, the dedicated utility zone would reduce, if not eliminate, pipeline incidents.

• In the event of an incident, damage would be limited or controlled within the utility zone.

• Corrosion from atmospheric conditions will be lessened if underground vault systems are used. Underground vaults can accommodate multiple pipelines, providing easier maintenance.

Design specifications for pipelines would vary depending on the number to be placed in a corridor segment. Providing corridor access would exponentially increase the capacity of pipeline infrastructure in the state. Pipelines would have as many connections as needed. Other design recommendations include:

• Distribution or gathering facilities located adjacent to corridor segments.

• Pipelines can be placed above or below ground with as little as 12" clearance between other pipelines or underground structures.

Pipelines are an important transportation link in Texas. While the corridor system would not preclude new pipeline construction elsewhere, it would reduce the number of large transmission lines traversing heavily populated urban areas. Public opposition due to land-use and restriction issues would be reduced by the use of the corridor system. The state would retain the ability to determine that the pipelines are safe. Pipeline operators using the corridor would reduce costs by replacing right of way acquisition with lease and operating agreements.

Actions

Water lines

While current water supply systems meet Texas’ needs, demand is expected to overcome the existing system by 2050. To accommodate a projected population growth from 21 million to 40 million in 2050, water lines along the corridor’s utility zone will help meet anticipated demand.

• As new water sources are developed, including new impoundments, private sale of water to municipalities, authorities or private interests, and basin transfers, new water lines will be needed.

• The trend toward regional water supply systems will continue, with the corridor likely to be incorporated into future water plans.

• A significant future source is desalinated water from the Gulf of Mexico. The corridor would accommodate a network of pipelines to move those supplies inland.

Electrical transmission lines

• Tie together new electrical generation facilities, substations and connectivity assets built to meet expected needs.

• Provide reliable connections between generating systems and electricity providers to ensure reliable power delivery for the future.

• Provide flexibility for changing electrical-system conditions, allowing interconnectivity to resolve such issues as maintenance forced equipment outages, higher demands on systems and fuel shortages in generating facilities.

Development and design of high-voltage electrical transmission systems

• Rely on conventional engineering, including transmission towers.

• Use alternative technologies such as underground systems.

As each segment of the corridor is planned and constructed, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas should be consulted in determining current and anticipated infrastructure needs.

Data transmission

From telephone service to high speed Internet connections, reliable communication is an essential part of the economy and culture of Texas. Data transmission lines in the corridor would:

• Become an integral component of the statewide communications infrastructure.

• Provide flexibility, access and connectivity for evolving technologies in both rural and urban areas. This will ensure reliable, efficient communication for citizens, businesses and government.

• Make right of way available for current and future telecommunications providers.

Design and development of data transmission systems must include provisions to supply reliable and affordable services to meet growing demands, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to future technological advances. By partnering with telecommunications providers in the design and construction of the corridor, competitive and modern communications systems can be made readily available to all Texans.

Looking Down the Road - Executive Summary - Action Plan
Planning - Design - Environmental - Right of Way - Toll - Rail - Dedicated Utility Zone - Finance