Amount Requested: $500,000.00

For more than 15 years, the I-69 Corridor has been under development and has been consistently recognized by Congress as a national transportation priority.  Yet, the project’s progress has been delayed considerably by the inability to get timely environmental reviews and clearances as required by federal law.  Specifically, funds are requested to ensure FHWA and in turn the resource agencies with responsibility for environmental clearances – US Fish & Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers—have additional staff to expedite the environmental reviews of projects along congressionally designated High Priority Corridors, including I-69 in Texas which is defined by statute as US 59, 77 and 281.Without such resources, the ongoing delay of environmental clearances will continue to significantly increase the cost of construction of I-69 and other federally designated High Priority Corridors.  Over the past 15 years the estimated cost of I-69 in Texas has more than doubled. When completed, I-69 will enhance economic development and provide for more efficient access to the Port of Houston and overall transportation for the Houston area.