04B - Proclamation Supporting Highway WideningItem No. 4B
TO: Mayor & Council
FROM: John Godwin, City Manager
SUBJECT: HIGHWAY WIDENING SUPPORT
DATE: June 29, 2018
BACKGROUND: Transportation is and always has been important to the economic vitality of
any community. Over time, highway dollars allocated by TXDOT have often gone to priorities
other than Lamar and neighboring counties. As a result, US Highways 271 and 82 remain only
two lanes wide south, east, and west of Paris.
STATUS OF ISSUE: TXDOT updates and maintains a Unified Transportation Plan which in
turn greatly affects future planning and funding for state managed highways. Dan Perry, Director
of Transportation Planning and Development for our local TXDOT district, has asked that we
and other communities, businesses, and individuals express our support for the widening of both
of these highways, thereby establishing continuing four -lane transportation in every direction. In
fact, it is hoped that over time a four -lane US 82 will become an alternate route to reduce traffic
on an already overloaded 11130. The attached proclamation will formalize the city's support of
including these projects in the 2019 UTP, and for funding of planning, engineering, and ultimate
construction of these two important highway segments.
BUDGET: NA
RECOMMENDATION: Approve proclamation.
PROCLAMATION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PARIS, TEXAS
SUPPORTING WIDENING US HIGHWAYS 271 AND 82 TO FOUR LANES
WHEREAS, the complete widening to four lanes of US 271 and US 82 would provide
Lamar and Red River Counties with increased safety, and greater connectivity to some of the
largest industrial and commercial hubs in the country and the world; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) is currently developing
its 2019 Unified Transportation Plan, which should be completed by December 2018, and which
will determine which projects are funded; and
WHEREAS, the planning tools that rank projects are based on safety, congestion,
connectivity, and economic development; and
WHEREAS, the complete widening to four lanes of US 271 and US 82 in Lamar and
Red River Counties will have a profound impact on safety, connectivity, and economic
development in our region; and
WHEREAS, the complete widening to four lanes of US 271 and US 82 in Lamar and
Red River Counties will have an impact on congestion and air quality in the metroplex; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of the portions of US 271 and US 82 that are not
completely widened to four lanes are located in Lamar and Red River Counties; and
WHEREAS, communicating with our representatives and leaders about the importance
of these projects is profoundly important to secure their support and funding.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas
respectfully requests its' elected representatives and leadership to request the Texas Department
of Transportation to include the complete widening to four lanes of US Highway 271 and US
Highway 82 in both Lamar and Red River Counties in the 2019 Unified Transportation Plan.
Dr. Stephen J. Clifford, Mayor Date