CorridorWatch.org - Challenging the Wisdom of the Trans-Texas Corridor.

Trans-Texas Corridor Meeting

Monday, June 28, 2004 - Coupland, Texas

An estimated crowd of 130 filled the St. Peter's church to capacity!

An estimated 130 Texans filled the St. Peter's Church in Coupland Monday night for a meeting that included a lively discussion of the Trans-Texas Corridor.

TxDOT officials and Governor Perry's Transportation Advisor attended the evening meeting at the invitation of the Coupland Civic Association. Coupland is a tiny unincorporated community of 135 twenty-five miles northeast of Austin on State Highway 95 between Elgin and Taylor in Williamson County. [background]

TxDOT's Doug Booher, the Environmental Manager for the Turnpike Authority Division gave an overview of the TTC-35 project and the environmental impact study that is already underway for the corridor. Mr. Booher was followed by Governor Perry's Transportation Advisor Kris Heckmann.

From the start of the meeting it was clear that this is a community that isn't welcoming the Trans-Texas Corridor. While the Civic Association remained neutral on the subject, those in attendance were quite outspoken. Outside the building was another group armed with clipboards, petitions and their own anti-corridor sign.

Excluding state officials, it appeared that the room was without a single Corridor supporter.

The beginning of the meeting was delayed so that more chairs could be added to the 75 or so that had been previously put into place. Even so as the meeting started the chairs were quickly filled and late comers found themselves standing along the sides and back of the room.

TxDOT's Doug Booher

As Mr. Booher attempted to answer questions from sometimes angry citizens, he commented that TxDOT would take into consideration the wishes and desires of the Coupland community, such as access to and placement of the Corridor. This stood in stark contrast to the TxDOT official who prior to the Corridor discussion told the Coupland group that their request had been officially denied for a flashing yellow light at an intersection they believe is particularly dangerous. It was pointed out that if they can't even get one flashing light today how much impact does anyone really think they'll have on Corridor decisions.

One resident commented that he votes in every election and that he has never had the opportunity to vote for or against the Trans-Texas Corridor. Repeatedly residents demanded to know who came up with the idea for the Corridor plan. Still more questioned the need. A few in the room wanted to know why they weren't told about this Corridor before, suggesting that there was an effort made to sneak it by the public.

Another resident told Mr. Booher to go back and tell 'them' that 'we' don't want the Trans-Texas Corridor.

Governor Perry's Transportation Advisor Kris Heckmann

When Governor Perry's Transportation Advisor Kris Heckmann spoke he attempted to defended the Trans-Texas Corridor Plan. At one point he even defended the Governor personally when the audience was unimpressed by his reference to Perry's ranching and farming background. "Be careful," cautioned one lady in attendance, "there are some real dirt farmers in this room," she continued.
Heckmann's presentation was a mixed bag of trying to sell the corridor concept and defending components of the state's plan. None of what he had to say addressed the concerns or issues of those living in Coupland.
The assembled group was told that the Trans-Texas Corridor Plan was indeed the Governor's plan and that he asked the Legislature for the tools to build the Trans-Texas Corridor. Heckmann went on to say that the Legislature agreed with the Governor and the House overwhelmingly passed the bill [HB-3588] by a 147 to 2 vote.
Before Heckmann concluded his remarks some members of the audience left in disgust commenting aloud that they had heard enough.

[newspaper coverage]

Thank you for your time and interest.

This Page Last Updated: Tuesday March 14, 2017