TAG Supports Focused Collaboration for I-45
This morning, TAG’s Executive Director, Andrea French, read the following statement to the HGAC Transportation Policy Council in support of focused and continued collaboration on the North Houston Highway Improvement Project:
“Good morning members of the Transportation Policy Council and to all of our agency and community leaders who are listening today and committed to this critical conversation. This is Andrea French, Executive Director for TAG – Transportation Advocacy Group for the Houston region.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, members and partners, TAG-Houston Region supports and commends all of our agency and community partners in focused collaboration and continued community engagement now and moving forward.
TAG represents over 100 member companies including non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, governmental entities and community leaders. We are the leading advocate for infrastructure funding to improve regional transportation systems, and our vision is to cultivate a healthy state of mobility in the Houston Region to protect our future growth, economic vitality, and overall quality of life. It is essential that funds committed to our Region be invested in our Region to improve mobility, and we recognize the necessity of these corridors as vital to the efficient movement of people and freight.
Therefore, It is clear that leaving I-45 as it exists today would be a mistake – but so would ignoring the impacts on residential neighborhoods and businesses. Believing community input is essential to achieving consensus on all mobility projects, we support reconfiguration of these freeways to enhance mobility and connectivity while achieving consensus with communities along the corridors. As TXDOT Commissioner Laura Ryan stated: “I don’t think there is an either / or to this project. We have to find a way to bring all of these goals together”
In summary, TAG supports TxDOT and their partners – the City of Houston, METRO, Harris County, HGAC and others – in the reconfiguration of the NHHIP corridor as a vital component to the safe, efficient movement of people and freight, with the understanding that in light of the disruption and displacement of residents and businesses, planners, engineers, leaders and communities will work to achieve a best solution, respecting those affected, to achieve mutual project goals. We appreciate and commend the collaboration between all of these partners to develop a solution that best serves our communities and positions our region for safe, efficient and innovative connectivity.“
