CASS COUNTY UPDATE

Transportation considerations for our collective future

Publisher’s Note: The front page story on water resources should have had a byline for Travis Ransom last week.

When I drove Route 66 from Chicago to LA several years ago I got a first-hand look at the impacts of interstate highways; both good and bad. Interstate highways are a necessary conduit that connect the supply chain of our nation.

However, in many cases, they have smoothed out all the unique features of our vastly unique landscape. They are dotted with the same chain restaurants and box stores across the nation. If you have been to Chili’s in Texarkana, you’ve basically been to them all. Off-Interstate America however, is unique and local. That’s the America I grew up with in Cass County and the one that still exists here. Smalltown, USA is still out there if you get away from the interstate and look for it.

As I got my kicks on Route 66, I couldn’t help but think of Cass County and its various small towns, each unique in their own right. US Highway 59 is designated future Interstate 69. And while Cass County has no interstate currently, we are about equidistant between I-30 to the north and I-20 to the south with I-49 situated just east of us in neighboring Louisiana.

This puts Cass County in the crosshairs for future transportation infrastructure development. It is a challenging position to be in. It could mean unparalleled opportunity for economic development; it could mean losing our unique small-town identity; or at worst, could threaten our existence altogether. Participation matters and having a seat at the table is important.

As I drove along sections of Route 66 which were bypassed by the I-40 buildout, I saw the dilapidated former cities and towns of the American west. Ghost towns along the route are now part of the allure of the journey. For decades they have tried to recover from being orphaned by interstate development.

If you’ve seen the Disney Movie, Cars, you will fall in love with the charming town of Radiator Springs. But while Cars has a fairytale ending, the reality for most communities that were bypassed is much bleaker. Many towns and communities were either shut out of the planning process or didn’t participate until they were eventually cut off from traffic altogether.

If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. I don’t want the same fate for Cass County. Cass County is not an island. We are part of a larger region and much larger state. As such, we must develop regional partnerships that help get Cass County on equal or better footing going forward. Economic development remains a strategic goal of our county.

As we consider the economic impact of infrastructure projects that bring traffic through our area, we must ensure our interests are adequately represented. I am happy to report that Cass County is “at the table” with three different groups focused on transportation infrastructure. We are a member of the Alliance for I-69, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA), and a voting member of TEX-21.

The Alliance for I-69 is a coalition made up of cities, counties, port authorities and community leaders building grassroots support for upgrading the entire Interstate 69 route in Texas. Members of the Alliance for I-69 Texas have conducted a sustained campaign to have existing highways improved to interstate highway standards along US 59. I-69 development across Texas is not just about building a new inuterstate but about preparing for the state’s future and the demands for mobility that come from an expanding population and expanding commerce and trade. I’m happy to report that Cass County is part of the conversation.

More than a dozen of us met in Austin last legislative session to interact with state legislators and hear from Blake Calvert, policy advisor to Gov. Greg Abbott and former TxDOT Legislative Liaison. He stressed the importance of protecting the current revenue streams that are allowing Texas to make significant investments in highways.

The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) is an independent government agency approved by the Texas Transportation Commission in October 2004. For many years Cass County did not have representation on the board of this group which was created to accelerate the development of infrastructure projects in North East Texas.

Their mission is to implement infrastructure solutions that will enhance the quality of life and the economic environment in our area. NETRMA is governed by a 21-member board of directors that represent each of the member counties including Cass County. We are currently seeking a volunteer to represent Cass County on the NETRMA board of directors.

As Cass County develops relationships in regional transportation, we will be looking at leveraging those resources to bring improvement projects to our area.

Cass County recently partnered with the cities of Atlanta, Hughes Springs, Linden, and Queen City economic development corporations to join TEX-21 as a voting member. This gives Cass County a seat at the table to stay informed about the direction our state and nation are going as it relates to transportation funding. This is a win for Cass County and the region. We already have allies at TEX-21 as our neighbors to the north, Bowie County and the Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) are also members. TEX-21 is short for Transportation Excellence for the 21st Century. This organization’s purpose is to join together cities, counties, private businesses, ports, and transportation entities in a collective, informed voice to the State and Federal Executive and Legislative Policymakers to improve transportation in Texas. This effort includes strategies to increase investment in multi-modal transportation infrastructure, improve the planning and management of our transportation facilities, and increase awareness of the importance of transportation to all areas of Texas.

While some ghost towns along Route 66 have transformed themselves into tourist attractions, many others have not found the Radiator Springs fairytale ending. Cass County’s participation in these transportation-focused organizations is critical to our future as we balance the competing needs of our state while preserving “Smalltown, USA” for the future.