Res 155-97 10/7/1997RESOLUTION NO.�
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS REQUESTING THE
TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO CONSTRUCT A FOUR-
LANE
DIVIDED HIGHWAY BETWEEN ABILENE AND WICHITA FALL
AND TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF NECESSARY
RIGHT -OF -WAY; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING
AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
WHEREAS, the North Texas region has suffered in its ability to attract co
and industry due to insufficient highway connection; and, ►amerce
WHEREAS, there exists a need to provide a highway which would
enhanced opportunities for the North Texas region to attract visitor and trade
and, rade traffic;
WHEREAS, the provision of a highway to provide uninterrupted traffic mo
between Abilene and Wichita Falls would serve to enhance economic o vement
cities and towns along such corridor; and, pportunities for
WHEREAS, there is evidence supporting the need for a highway
uninterrupted traffic flow to sustain NAFTA and other freight movement from y i is we t
of Texas to the northern and northeastern parts of the United States points west
significantly reduce mobile source emissions for cities not in attainment to the Cl could
Act Amendment of 1991; and, he Clean Air
WHEREAS, providing a four -lane divided highway with uninterrupted
movement between Interstate 20 in Abilene and Interstate 44 in Wichita Fall
significantly reduce the travel time between El Paso p ed traffic
and Oklahoma City, a corridor
subject to approximately one million trucks per year; and,
WHEREAS, providing a highway alignment which provides uninterrupted
flow along a four -lane divided highway could greatly enhance the safety for traffic
freight, visitor, and local traffic along this corridor; and, Y r movers of
WHEREAS, there is general support for such a highway by a majorit y of cities
and towns, councils of government, chambers of commerce and other and, along this
WHEREAS, providing such a highway conforms to the National
System, where US 277 and US 82 are highways listed on the Nati Highway
System; and, onal Highway
Texas. WHEREAS, providing such a highway is in the best interest of the State of
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT: CITY
SECTION 1. The City of Wichita Falls requests the Texas Transportation
Commission to direct the Texas Department of Transportation to conduct a p rtation
study of the area between Abilene and Wichita Falls, considering the alignment
railroad right -of -way previously authorized for purchase under a Minute Order ated abandoned 6
October 1995, for a four -lane divided highway providing uninterrupted traffic r dated 26
between these two cities. movement
SECTION 2. That the Texas Transportation Commission provide suf i
funding to enable the Texas Department of Transportation to purchase ad • cient
o
for use as a right -of -way not covered under a Minute Order dated 26 O tube al land
where such additional land purchase would also consider the future ex a ober 1995,
determined corridor as future need would dictate. p nsion of the
SECTION 3. That the Texas Transportation Commission authorize the ent. T
Department of Transportation to begin the necessary design and e i exas
mitigation for a four -lane divided highway providing uninterrupted traffic move ntal
ment.
SECTION 4. It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeti
which this resolution was passed was open to the public as required by law. ng at
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 7th day of October, 1997.
MAYO
ATTEST: