FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; April 28, 2005

ODESSA – State transportation officials gave approval to a pair of million dollar transportation projects that will improve safety on area highways along the state-designated La Entrada al Pacifico trade corridor.

The Texas Transportation Commission, at its monthly meeting in Austin, also approved a $1 million feasibility study to look at the routing alignment for the corridor between Midland-Odessa and the international crossing at Presidio.

The $3 million worth of project proposals benefited from the support of U.S. Congressmen Mike Conaway of Midland.

"Congressman Conaway is a strong advocate for the La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor, which will provide an expanded and improved highway and rail route for the movement of international trade traffic from Mexico across Texas to the rest of the nation," said Ric Williamson, Texas Transportation Commission chair.

"In addition to securing these project funds through the federal appropriations process, Congressman Conaway’s support for expanded freight rail options and more flexible design-build language will enable TxDOT and our local partners to more effectively address the international, regional, and local transportation needs of his West Texas district," Williamson added.

The safety projects include widening two-lane portions of US Highway 67 to include a passing lane at various locations along the highway. The sections of US 67 to be widened are between McCamey and Presidio.

The La Entrada al Pacifico corridor runs from Lamesa to Midland-Odessa along State Highway 349, then west on Interstate 20 to US Highway 385, south to McCamey to US 67 and south-southwesterly to Presidio where it connects with Mexican 16.

On the Mexico side of the border, the corridor runs along existing highways and rail to the Pacific port of Topolobampo in the Mexican state of Sinaloa.

For more information, call Glen Larum, TxDOT Public Information Office, (432) 498-4746.