Hutchison says Interstate 69 project still alive

McALLEN — Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said she was for building Interstate 69 back when it was just I-69.

She was for it before the route linking South Texas to points north became part of the Trans-Texas Corridor, Gov. Rick Perry's proposal to incorporate multiple modes of transportation into one supercorridor.

With the controversial Trans Texas Corridor - a plan that the senator didn't back - now scrapped in favor of a traditional route, Hutchison supports building the Interstate the way it was originally envisioned, which she said is "exactly the way it ought to be."

Hutchison made an appearance in McAllen on Monday to address members of the U.S. 77 and U.S. 281 coalitions on the status of the plan to bring an Interstate to the Rio Grande Valley.

Hutchison, who is expected to challenge Perry in March's Republican primary, said she is pushing Congress to plan for the route that would become a major trade corridor.

"We need more trade corridors from Mexico through Texas and into the United States and Canada," Hutchinson said in a press conference at the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone. "Every one that we can get is going to mean more growth and trade for Texas."

The plan to connect South Texas with the existing I-69 corridor in Indiana has evolved in different phases, including the Trans-Texas Corridor.

But Hutchinson said the I-69 designation is "still alive" - a shot at Ted Houghton, a Texas Transportation Commissioner who called it dead four years ago.

The senator asked for an appropriation to finish the last of the environmental studies for the route, which is expected to have two arms on U.S. 77 and U.S. 281.

Once the environmental impact studies are complete, Hutchison said the state's Congressional leaders can work to fund the Interstate.

Hutchison said she also filed a bill to allow states to opt out of the Federal Highway Trust Fund and fund Interstate on the state level.

Hutchison said the bill is not expected to pass, but she wants to start dialogue about the Interstate trust fund - states like Texas pay more into in gas taxes then they get back.

Hutchison hinted that she might not be around for that dialogue to come together.

"We'll finish the job until maybe I can help you from another venue," she told Valley officials at the press conference.

Jared Janes covers Hidalgo County government, Edinburg and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4424.