[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 135 (Thursday, October 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF THE GROUNDBREAKING OF I-35E

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2013

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 
long-awaited groundbreaking for the expansion of Interstate 35-East 
through Denton County. The initiation of this 28 mile project corridor 
of 1-35, built a half century ago, occurs on a segment of a highway 
critical to the economic well-being of Denton County, the State of 
Texas and our nation.
  The I-35E project, initiated with $1.4 billion in funding, is the 
result of years of concerted effort by officials at the State, regional 
and local levels. Representing the largest single source of funding, 
Denton County Judge Mary Horn and the Denton County Commissioner's 
Court rightfully recognized the importance of the project by providing 
over half of the initial source funds. Their commitment of Denton 
County's Regional Toll Revenue funds and proceeds from two bond 
elections was used to initiate early acquisition for Right of Way, 
frontage roads and engineering. Based on the strong financial 
commitment by Denton County, support of cooperating agencies and 
partners such as Dallas County was secured, positioning the Regional 
Transportation Council, RTC, to prioritize and approve the additional 
state and federal funds necessary to make today's groundbreaking a 
reality.
  Working cooperatively, state officials including Senators Chris 
Harris, Jane Nelson and Craig Estes, Representatives Myra Crownover, 
Tan Parker and Burt Solomons and Texas Department of Transportation 
Commissioner Bill Meadows supported my engagement at the federal level 
to remove obstacles and build the support for financial and other 
commitments necessary within the state. They also worked closely with 
the staff from the Texas Department of Transportation and the North 
Central Texas Council of Governments to engage Denton County and the 
cities of Lewisville, Highland Village, Hickory Creek, Lake Dallas, 
Corinth and Denton--the local Denton County communities through which 
this critical component of our nation's transportation infrastructure 
passes.
  The I-35E project will not only serve to provide much-needed mobility 
improvements critical to our nation's economic welfare, it will also 
provide for other mobility enhancements. The project will impact 
factors critical to air quality, safety and other quality-of-life 
issues for both local residents and those who move to the rapidly 
growing Denton County communities on a daily basis.
  As this project gets underway, I'm proud to honor the significant 
accomplishments that warrant this day of celebration for Denton County. 
I look forward to the improvements promised and am honored to represent 
the communities and constituents who comprise Denton County in the 
House of Representatives.

                          ____________________