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EDITORIAL
TRANSPORTATION
Pay nLy to plav
- - '
■The-Texas Legislature should;;, But three e committees"were created
Commission indicates that conve_n
allow local elections on"whether to to deal with governance,financing tional wisdom is wrong.
increase sales taxes to finance.re_ and legal issues,drawn in part from ,The researchers interviewed 4,077
' people-who volunteered at the news- people in the non-transit-member
gional rail,operations
- paper summit. areas of Collin,Dallas and Tarrant
'Dec.Il is an important day for On July 29,2004,.the committees 'counties and in parts of Ellis;Johnson,
Texans concerned about getting from overwhelmingly voted for a rail net Kaufman,Parker and Rockwall coup
hereto there in North Central Texas. work to be funded by fares,federal ties and the member cities of the Fort
That's the day that the Regional grants and a half-cent sales tax in the Worth Transportation Authority i
Transportation Council will meet parts of Tarrant,Dallas,Collin,Den- where a half cent is currently collect- `
' with local.lawmakers to present its ton,Ellis and Johnson counties not'in ed.
proposed legislative agenda for the a transit authority. r Initialsupportwas surprisingly
80th Texas Legislature,-which con- From that came the decision to ask f high,—62.9 percent—"for a half-cent
venes'Jan:9_: ' the Legislature for authority.to in- f increase;and that;rose topercen
74.7 t _
'
One item;perhaps the,most singu- crease the'local sales tax. . " when the questionwas repeated.at
larly significant for.this area,is ele Legislative action is needed be- the conclusion of the 12-minute sur
gant in its simplicity:Support,the.;:: cause`.the_state collects a 6.25 percent .Bey.That's`important m the areas-of
' Joint Recommendations for Regional sales tax and permits cities:to add 'North,Central Texas that are not
Rail in North Central Texas. another 2 cents.Most cities use at ready at 1 cent Support weakened
The joint resolution is-an unprece least 1 cent for general revenue;the: when interviewees were questioned
dented move by the three area agen- other cent can be used for issues such about a full cent but was.-still strong..
' cies that deal.with public transporta as crime districts and econoic.de The study,by the way,was con-
tion:the Fort Worth Transportation velopment.DART members devote a ducted at the behest of statelaw-'
Authority,Dallas Area Rapid Transit penny to the system;.m_embers of The makers in the last`session°who didn't
and the Denton County Transporta T pay a half-cent. `believe resiaentswould'support a tax`
' tion Authority: The proposal to the Legislature Lawmakers are resistant to chang
What the resolution seeks=and it requests"a sales tax exemption for es in the sales tax.We'd like to think
is supported by more than 50 city non-attainment areas of an amount that's because they consider it a re-,- -
' councils,county commissioners, equal to the locally authorized transit gressive tax.But the truth is that
courts,"and business and civic organi- sales tax with a city-by-city,multiple theyye painted themselves into a
zations-in North Central Texas-.is city corridor,county,or sub-county corner by consistent and public
authority from the Legislature to vote to maximize local flexibility.".. pledges that they will not raise taxes.
' allow local elections on whether to That language is complex butirn; The sales tax is then-safety valve.
increase the sales tax to finance re= portant.It would apply only to the But we are the ones who suffer
onal rail operations.P nine counties in North Central Texas every day with traffic congestion and
In 2003,the editorial boards of The that the Environmental Protection its related problems.We are the ones
Dallas Morning Newsand the Fort Agency has designated as air-quality,-.l facing a' projected population in-
Worth Star-Telegram—a collab-. non-attainment areas.To make an . crease of nearly 80 percent over three
oration that was itself historic— increase acceptable,everyone has to decades—5.1 million in 2000 to 9.1
called for a regional focus on meeting have the opportunity,to move equally million in 2030.
transit needs. —areas that earlier elected transit And we should be the,ones who
That call,in the description of one over other uses now,could have both. get to determine our own destiny.
transit expert,brought the issue into Areas that elected-to.spend the mon- The Legislature should give us that
unprecedented focus simultaneously ey on uses other than transit' could right.for officials in more than.60 counties increase the money for transit.—and `
surrounding Dallas/Fort Worth Air- the playing field for,uses like eco-
port,-the
co-port,-the region's transportation hub. nomic development will remain level
' People invited to the newspapers' across the area.That.would mean a
summit—held on Aug.15,2003,on cent in some areas and a half-cent in
the closing day of the 6th Annual others:
Texas Transportation Summit in Ir- For years,conventional wisdom
' ving—called for working groups to has been that attempting to tax for
study the issue.In some cases,exist- rail transit was a lost cause.A recent
ing task forces took up the challenge. study conducted for the North Texas
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT ,
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1 �
WHO'S ON BOARD
Regional Transit Tri-Party Agreement resolutions Pending
Counties:Collin,Denton and Tarrant. Consideration
DART member cities and towns Addison,Carrollton,Dallas,'' on Regional
' Farmers Branch,Garland,Highland Park,Irving,Plano,Rich-
ardson,Rowlett,University Park: Agreement
resolution:
The T member cities:Fort Worth,Richland'Hills. Dallas County
Commissioners
Denton County Transportation Authority cities:Denton, -Court,Cockrell Hill,
Highland Village,Lewisville. Glenn`Heights,
Southlake,Greater
Non-transit cities:Allen,Anna,Arlington,Benbrook,Burleson, Dallas Hispanic
Cedar Hill,Coppell,DeSoto,Duncanville,Euless,Fairview,Frisco, Chamber of
Grand Prairie,Haltom City,Hurst,Lancaster,McKinney,Melissa, Commerce,"
Mesquite,Murphy,North Richland Hills,Watauga. 'H-E-B Chamber of
Commerce(Hurst-
Regional organizations:Regional Transportation Council,Dallas Eu less-Bedford).
Regional Mobility Coalition(26 cities and five counties),
Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition' (64 members including '.Passed a.33 cities and four counties),Region 13 Texas Municipal League resolution
chapter,
Tarrant County Mayors'Council,North Texas Commission. Supporting
regional transit:
' Chambers:Greater Dallas Chamber(position statement),Fort Cleburne,Colleyville,
Worth Chamber of Commerce,Burleson Chamber of Commerce, _--The Colony,
Southeast.Dallas Chamber of Commerce,Northeast Dallas Cham- Grapevine.
ber of.Commerce,Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce,Richardson
' Chamber of Commerce,Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. eource:The r
Statewide organizations:Texas Transit Association,Tex-21
t
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
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EULESS
CI bars re cr
eatlon
ill Its
ponds, cree
ks
1 By JESSICA DAEON Euless duringan e
STAR-TELEGRAM sTAFF WRITER meIgency.
The. .=City ..Council ap-
EULESS - Don't go in the proved the ban last week after
' water, unless it's``a public or several boaters were seen on
private swimming pool. a. city pond. No accidents
Swimming, boating . or have been'reported' '
1 _floating in the city's ponds "Six'years ago,the city had
and 'o'ther waterways has just a few small creeks.'.
been banned. Now it has four ponds —
Euless has no water-res- three'at The Preserve at Mc-
cue team,Parks and Commu- Cormick Park and one at Wil-
nity Services Director Ray shire Park
McDonald said. "It's'a fairly new situation
The closest team is in for the``city,"-McDonald said.
Grapevine, and It would take Jessica DeLeon,,817685-3932
several minutes for it to reach ideieon@star-teIT'am.com
1
1
1
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' MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
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TRANSPORTATION
Toll road.project gets a fAst-slobhdingname - ."..,
By GORDON DICKSON ing bids from companies aiming to
STAR-TELEGRAM STA"wRMR ONLINE
build the.proj ects., To view a PDF of the project,go to
One of the biggest road projects in. Existing lanes will remain free,but, www,star-telegram.com
Texas history has a new name:North `the new lanes wi1T'require'a toll, so
Tarrant Express. motorists willing to pay a premium derstand the purpose of the road con-
That's what the collection of pro-, can bypass congestion, Tolls will be struction;which is estimated to cost
posed express toll lanes-36 miles in collected;electronically, and motor- about$1.9 billion:
all—on Interstate 35W,Loop 820 and Asts will.be,encouraged to,open Toll- To view the North Tarrant Express
' Texas 121/183 in Northeast Tarrant Tag accounts + plan,go to www star-telegram.coin.'
County are being called now. Coinciding with that'effort, state
On Friday, the Texas Department officials decided to give the project a
R Gordon Dickson,817-685-3816.
of Transportation will begin accept- catchier name,to help the public un-. gdickson@Star-tetegram.co n
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCEAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
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EDITORIALS
TRANSPORTATION
pwhng o- gether
■All of us must unite to attack '
traffic crisis.
,Legislative briefing
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and` Tex4_tSen Florence Shapiro,R-Plano,
The Dallas Morning News are taking _ and Rep.Fred,,Hill,R Richardson,have
an unprecedented step today by joint- invited all state legislators from the
ly publishing this editorial,verbatim;, nine-county air quality non-attainment
on the region's transportation crisis area ,:Collin,Dallas;Denton;EIIis;John
It was a calculated decision to son ICaofman,Parker,Rockwall and
Tarrent�countr'es TH64;tiefin is open
focus added attention on a pivotal ` ,F ,
to thepublic., .. �
meeting of state lawmakers tomorrow Time:2 p m Mondagr .r;
on funding expansion of North Texas' Place:Irving Arts Center, r
' rail transit network. •"; ¢ .r 3333 N.MacArthur,Blvd.
We want to be clear,Anew transit,;j, ,Woe
tax for unserved areas is crucral to
On^ 4 =the
unsnarling the hideous traffic gener
: .7 , Web
Legislative recofnmendations'at
atedby.ourpopulation explosion: wwwnetcog.org/transZleg�slative
Lawmakers also must be clear ,
about what their constituents,local .
' officials and regional plarinefs are; ~
saying:Non-transit communities'and more than 66 cities and business and
counties should be able to hold local = civic`orga i ati'ns have signed on to
option elections to make rail available"' aPesolution supp , ting,_the local-
for their commuters. option plan.
Only the Legislature canpermit .'We could produce an avalanche of
those elections and allow cities to mobility statistics to further support
levy up to a penny beyondahe current the case-for urgency,but we'll offer
sales tax cap of 8.25 percent Any '" just a flew:-..
legislator who is listening to the pub Twenty years ago,North Texans
lic.will attend tomorrow.'s session and: drove an estimated 75 millionmiles a
' pledge to fight for regional transit in day.The total has since doubled.In 20
next year's lawmaking session.. more years,the daily total will exceed
It's important to recall that we've `2'24 million.More than half of our'
been here before,at the threshold of a' `roadways will be classified as con-
legislative session and expecting the gested.
Dallas-Fort Worth delegation to make The North Central Texas Council
headway in Austin. of Governments'estimates that by
Two years ago,after two regional 2025,53 percent of the projected
transit summits(which also were 8 million residents in the 10 North
joint efforts by these two newspa- Texas urban counties will live outside
pers),local leaders gave lawmakers transit service areas.
similar marching orders to seek a There is no expectation that road
local-option transit tax.But their construction can keep up,dooming^
efforts fell short in Austin. motorists to waste 40 percent of their
Expectations are higher today.A driving time in traffic delays.
' survey taken in eight North Texas North Texans are already tired of
counties this year shows more than waiting.Our elected leaders must
two-thirds public support for a transit give us the option to vote on our own
tax in unserved communities.And solutions.
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
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,_.BEDFORD GROUP r
ARTSNET to
1 seek new h
ome,
1 STAR TELEGRAM
A Bedford group that sponsors art"ex
habits and free concerts islooking fora new
home. -
1 ARTSNET has been in-"Bedford Boys
Ranch for 31 years,and the city of Bedford
leases the building to the artsgroup for$lU
a year.
1 Three full-time employees work at the
Boys Ranch office.Art displays and art in
struction classes are;held at the,building._...
President Karin Newell, a former.)Bed
1 ford City Council member,said the.organ-
zation`appreciates Bedford's support over.
the years.But the group could gain a higher:
1 profile:bymoving the admuiistrative office,
elsewhere,she said. t
ARTSNET_ has requested proposals
from men&r'cities throughout Northeast
1 Tarrant County, including Bedford:Inter-
ested cities should detail the advantages of
being in their communities,Newell said.
1 Bedford City Manager Beverly Queen
said she will discuss the city's response
with the City Council.
ARTSNET will. take proposals:.unti
1 March 31,Newell said.
.-.Jo hn Kirsch
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCK4MIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
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' TRANSIT dent at Texas Instruments,told
, xather'do something,'Wrong
• committee members that he thari'dn ncithmg,"Garan laid.
Cl_1L opposes raising the sales tax `$tate Rep.Fl& er ce Shapiro,
' no cap except for education,argu- R-Plano; said she doesn� -sup-
ing that it would.burden busi- port the sales tax'and doesn't
nesses still adjusting to other believe that area transit'agen-
new state taxes. cies such as the Fort Worth
' "You need to jealously guard" , Trans ortation Authority, also.
every:element.of sales tax'be p
known as the T, are squeezing
accord ;
cause we believe, someday; all the money they could from
you're going to need it,"Ritter fare payers to offset increasing
' said. capital costs..
on
�• His.comments drew a harsh But Shapiro predicted that
response.from state Sen.John the North-Texas delegation will
' Carona, R-Dallas;chairman,of reach an agreement this,seifs-
• the Senate Transportation and, sign.
ftmd Homeland Security commit '-She said the next step would
tee.
Carona noted that area' ,be to ask the Legislative Budget
Ing ,Board,a bipartisan research of-
electedleaders had been study-` fice based in Austin,to provide
■A Dallas legislator says he'll :ing regional rail for years, in a detailed financial picture for
%file a bill that would allow the cluding an intense review of the operating costs and debt
Metroplex to raise sales taxes options in'recent months.'. - service already experienced by
for commuter rail. He asked Ritter: "Whermass transit agencies in the
Metroplex.
have y'all been the last six The idea of conal rail is to
' By GORDON DICKSON months?To hear this presenta- re g
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER; tion now, at this late hour,. connect the area's three transit
IRVING With less than a comes as a surprise and to ma-` agencies 'the T, Dallas Area
month before the state Legislature 'ny a disappointment: Rapid Transit and the'Denton
' convenes,North Texas lawmakers Carona said he will sponsor :County ' Transportation Au
still can't agree about how to pay a-bill that would allow alocal- thority - with a network_of
for a regional rail system, and on option sales tax referendum in commuter trains.
' Monday, opposing sides butted the Metroplex." - The only commuter rail op
heads over it. If voters in Tarrant County erating in the region is the Trin-
Dallas-Fort Worth transit offi- and elsewhere approved, the ity Railway Express, which is
cials, city and county leaders and sales tax coufd be raised to 8.75 co-owned by the T and DART.
' some state officeholders support percent to pay for rail with A second Tarrant County
raising the state's sales tax cap by a 6.25 percent going to the state . line is planned,along the old.
half-cent to 8.75 cents to build an and up to 2.5.cents going to- Cotton Belt route from Fort
expanded commuter rail system. ward local needs. Worth to Dallas/Fort Worth
' But other„state officials would "I'm from the school where Airport,and it's expected to be
rather use other funds,such as mo- built regardless of: funding
for fuels taxes,or find a way for cit- plans for the rest.of the pro-
' ies to divert their,economic devel- posed railsystem.:
opment sales taxes to transit. A regional system would
During a state Senate review make it possible to travel be-
committee meeting Monday in Ir- tween places such as Burleson,
' ving, legislators were under Pres- Carrollton and Denton by rail.
sure to get'something done this But getting started is enor-
session from 'Metroplex leaders, mously expensive:'The" esti-
who.have been asking for help to mated cost of such a system has
build a rail system for nearly four increased to about$195 million
years. a year. i
The lawmakers vowed to some-
how get it done. Gordon Dickson,817-685-3816
Phil Ritter, senior vice presi- gdukson@star-telegram com
fi
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
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JOE E. WATSON 11922-2006
Richland Hills' Ist fire.� chief
� qJoe E. "Papa Joe"Watson
was a ,f amil man as we
■Joe E.Watson — Papa Born Sept. 15, 1922, in Ra-
Joe`to family and friends— via,Okla.,Mr.Watson served
also fought in World War II Fan@rd�
as a bombardier in the Army
Air Corps during World War 11:30,a.m;Wednesday in the
' and was a:successful busi- rP g
nessman. II, flying numerous missions Greenwood Chapel at Green
in a B-17 bomber over Europe. Wood Funeral Home,3100' :
White Settlement Road in
By SCOTT STREATER After the war,he moved to
STARTELEGRAMSTAFF WRITER Fort Worth.He will be en-
Snyder,about 200 miles west tombed at the Greenwood .J
Joe E.Watson delighted in- of Fort Worth, and, in, what Mausoleum.A visitation isSWIM
building . things from the: became a pattern, started an set for 6-8 p.m.today at
ground up. electrical business.In Snyder, Greenwood Funeral Home. WEATHERFORD—Joe E.
He wanted to own a busi- he also married Betty Jo Wat- "Papa Joe Watson, 64, a
ness,so he bought a small air son. But it was a different world." `1ovthg father, grandfather,
randfather and- a
conditioner distributing com- = Mr.Watson's business was In 1979,Mr.Watson bought: mentor to all who knew him, passed
' pany and next-door to Snyder's volun- Atlantic Air, at the time a, away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 10,
built it.into teer Fire Department, which small company that provided' 2006,at his home after a courageous
a multimil Mr. Watson joined. That ex- air conditioning units for, battle with cancer.
lion-dollar perience helped him when he manufactured and re-built Funeral:11:30 a.m.Wednesday in
'> P i' Greenwood:- Chapel. Entombment:
enterprise. moved to Richland Hills and homes.B the time the famil '
Y Y( Greenwood Mausoleum.Visitation:6 to
He want . helped establish its Fire De- sold the business,20 yearslat 8 p.m.Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral
ed to own a partment. er,itwas worth millions. Home.
lakeside "He laid the'groundwork Mr.Watson had several se-' Joe was bom septi 15,1922,in Ra-
home,so he for the'fire service that we rious health problems over via,Okla.He was a World War II Army
built one on WATSON provide today for the city," the past-two decades,includ- Air Corps veteran. H i was a longtime
p Y �''�� resident of Richland Hills,where he was
Eagle said.Richland Hills Fire Chief ing a major heart attack in a founding member of the fire depart-
Mountain Lake, laying the David Anderson. The Fire 1985 that nearly killed him.He--' Ment and its first fire chief.Joe was a
foundation and doing all the Department is no longer a always recovered and re- member of IBEW 116 electrical union
plumbing and masonry work volunteer unit. mained active. But when and served on many boards.
himself. Mr. Watson took his work Betty Jo Watson died four Joe and his wife-partner Betty built
many businesses together, including
' And after moving to Rich as fire chief seriously, said years ago, shortly after, the Atlantic Air Inc.in Richland Hills.
land Hills and discovering Jack Watson, 52, another of couple's 50th wedding anni- Joe was preceded in death by his
that the city had no Fire De- Mr.Watson's sons.Jack Wat- versary,Mr.Watson never got wife of 50 years,Betty Jo Watson;infant
partment,he organized one in son remembers how, as a over it,his family says. son, Robert;-and grandson, Kelly
' 1952,becomingthe city's first child he was with his father at "He and m mother had Koons.
X' Y Survivors:Sons,.Joe Watson and
fire chief a grocery-store when a fire the type of relationship every- wife, unda, Jack Watson and wife,
"He just had a knack about call came through. Before one wishes they,could have," Becky,and Steve Watson and wife,Li-
him for getting things start- running off to the scene of the Jack Watson said. sa;five grandchildren;and four great-
ed,"said Steve Watson, 51, of fire,Mr.Watson asked a wom- Mr.Watson also had a verygrandchildren.
Weatherford,one of Mr.Wat- an at the store to take Jack-andp close relationship with hi ;I Greenwood Funeral Home
3100 Whke Settlement Road,817-336-0584
son's sons. his brother home. sons. view and sign guestbook at
"He'd work all week, and Betty Jo was not pleased "The thing we're going to.. www.star-telegram.com/obftuarles
then he'd come home;and he when her sons showed up at miss the most about our dad is
had to have a hammer in his the front door with a woman we could call him about any=.
hand building something on she did not know thing and say, 'Papa, what Joe Watson' s son,
' the weekends." "That's the maddest I ever would you do?'And he would Jack, is a City of
Known as Papa Joe to fami- saw my mother get at him, give you his wisdom, Jack Euless Fire
ly and friends, Mr. Watson Jack Watson said, laughing. Watson said."It's going to be Department retiree.
died Sunday at his Richland' "She kind of scolded my dad hard to lose that."
' Hills home of complications about that. Of course, you Scott Streater,817-390-7657
from lung cancer.He was 84. would never do that today. sstreater@star-telegram com
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
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' AOfiRANSPORTATION
t, ; rg Moyorar
ur es I= -35W cess r
. GO,RDONDICxsON State officials also said that proposed North Tarrant Express
s
sTnRarLEcR.v,:t:srnFF wRrrEu the 36 miles of toll.l�ePwould
e
be considered a single ro'ect f}}
FORT WORTH Mayor " 114 i
Mike,Moncrief on Wednesdayunder the name North Tarrant I 35W ; ,��oiat;e -Napw
Express. express
ked business owners to keep "I appreciate that name," lanes may
lessur,n,g
the'state to expand 3n
Tarrant Counjudge-elect '
terstate 35W,which he called ` area , 26 w"th
the city's front entrance.
Glen Whitley said at the coal'
Speaking to the Interstate tion meeting. freewastarting in
820 / tai �,■ ,■ , a�,f■=
Coalition,a group of Alli- Whitley also credited the12009. i
formation of the Tarrant Re- l
tce-area businesses that offs gional Transportation Coali- t 121" 3r�a`!�
cially formed a year ago,,Mon- I
tion three years ago to repre - _.W Fprt
;.ile also said.that future eco-. 30
sent the western'Metroplex's " lfyorth
t�mic growth in Fort Worth eto lt�cun 1
o ends transportation needs within 1 I
p on better highways the North Texas region. Existing Proposed ,.,
regional freight and pas- g Roadway lanes toll lanes'
Gordon Dickson 817-685-3816 ° ,�1grY{12�StLAO '82�/I-35W 4 4
' gdickson@a star-telegram.com " i " = rPote know its°.apart of how _ ,- B'.tWfl21l18'�I port Freeway 6 6
people will perceive our city,
• C.'(35u�downtownto820 46 4
region, as they enter our D.1-35W Loop 820 to U.S.287 4 4-6
nt door,"Moncrief said in a Transitpriorities ' F.l 35W,U.S 287 to Texas 170 4 4
eeiing at the Coca-Cola plant F.East Loop 820/,Texas 121 4-8 2
'Tarrant County's 2007 trans- *Does not include future nontoll lanes.
on Fossil Creek Boulevard.. _portation priorities:
1v1
oncrief and.'-other elected' �Ensure that the state fol-
an
eials praised business lead- lows through on,46rth Tarrant
s for. pushing the issue of: Express toll lanes.
�I-8,5W atthe state level.For-de- Start the environmental
des, the freeway, which has -study for the;local portion of
y two lanes an each difec- the Tran
sTezas Corridor.
a Push for help easing rail
tIO-A.I iorth'Qf 28 ` treet;.was traffic at Tower 55 in Fort
PH the,state's fists.of fundWorth.
-
!Push for state funding of a -
y' rects: :regional rail systema
a .bout two-years ago, . a Make sure the planned
exansionthe
*e.35W Coalition began taking funnel taysfon couaeevine
pe, and government and Z Keep as many-projects as
usmess officials began lobby- possible on the region's Trans-
ing for the state to do some portation Improvement Pro-
- gram,a list of projects sched-
g about I 35W uled to receive funding over
Last week, the Texas De--' the next two to three years.
artment of Transportationil Go to Austin-in January
ounced that it was read to with a legislative agenda that
Y promotes Metroplex unity.
Ue bids.from contractors to SOURCE:County Judge elect Glen
build toll lanes on I-35W,Loop Whitley " _
0 and Texas 121/183.Existing
es would remain free. Con-
ctionn could begin in 2009,
said the agency's Fort Worth
rMo
eer,Maribel Chavez.
ncrief wants work to be-
2008.
x
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' ■A tiny new'Euless"cafeeives�
homemadegumbo,jambalay�and Nevi
Orleans po-boys,and pralin6i
Pierre's Mardi Gras^Cafe might be
the best reason yet to find,Texas 10.It's
open weekdays for lunch and:dinner.
and.Satuzdays dos l,
;, or 3260 W.
Euless Blvd near Mder Drive;call
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