Commissioners support Hwy. 271 initiative

Titus County Commissioners, at their last meeting of 2016 on Thursday,Dec. 22, passed a resolution supporting construction improvements for the Hwy. 271 corridor from Tyler to Paris.

County Judge Brian Lee said the North Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) “is trying to bring attention to TxDOT where to allocate resources.”

A letter was approved to be sent to John Cloutier, Chairman of the NETRMA Long Range Planning Committee in Tyler, which read:

“As a long time member of NETRMA, Titus County is very pleased to hear about the US Hwy 271 initiative. Various representatives from the County were involved years ago, and faithfully promoted the "Green Carpet Route". We still strongly believe in the importance of Hwy 271 not only locally but as a freight corridor identified by TxDOT connecting from Paris to Gladewater.

“As our population grows, and the freight transportation demands within our region increase, 271 is vital to providing connectivity between the major interstate trunks.

“Locally 271 serves our manufacturers including Pilgrim's Pride, Prieferts, Newlyweds Foods, Big Tex Trailers and our Industrial parks. The major segment of our new Pass through Toll Project ($168 Million) is also a part of Hwy 271 providing safe, smooth, high speed passage for north and southbound travel.

“Titus County wholeheartedly supports the continued development of Hwy 271 to insure that this key route develops to meet the increasing demands for freight and public travel within our region.”

Commissioners also approved a formal resolution, which reads in part:

“Whereas, the US Highway 271 Corridor serves as a vital, important transportation corridor in East Texas impacting the daily lives of approximately 495,000 people living and working In the seven counties of Smith, Gregg, Upshur, Camp, Titus, Lamar and Red River; and,

“Whereas, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) plans to construct approximately $310 million in improvements to Hwy. 271 within the next ten years, and

“Where., the significant traffic volume on the US Highway 271 corridor raises safety concerns along the corridor and mandates urgent action to construct roadway safety improvements; and,

“Whereas, overall regional economic success and an improved quality of life will be substantially improved through improvements to the connectivity of the US Highway 271 corridor; and,

“Whereas., in 2012 there were approximate, 42,486 businesses and industries representing such sectors as manufacturing, industrial production, transportation, agriculture, timber, and service related businesses employing over 210,000 citizens above the age of sixteen inseven counties (Smith, Gregg, Upshur, Camp, Titus, Lamar and Red River) that were able to access the US 271 corridor.”

Both the resolution and letter were approved unanimously.

Judge Lee noted that Titus County’s representative to the NETRMA is Hudson Old.