Eagle Pass Delegation Meets with Transportation Chairman
(Press Release) The City of Eagle Pass, through its Business & Economic Development Committee (BEDC), had a delegation travel to the State’s Capitol on Monday afternoon to push for transportation and infrastructure projects for the City of Eagle Pass and the region.
Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English-Cantu led the delegation, which included: BEDC Chairman Morris Libson, Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Chris Hiller, Business & Industry Chairman Hector Cerna, Cross-Border Relations Chairman Ricardo Gonzalez, Acting City Manager Ivan Muroa, and BEDC Consultant Ernie Gonzalez.
The delegation met with Bruce Bugg, Jr., Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission and Charlie Leal, Transportation Policy Advisor with the Office of the Governor. This meeting had been in the works for several months and followed a series of building steps leading up to Monday.
Mr. Bugg provides leadership to the Texas Department of Transportation and advises Governor Gregg Abbott on all transportation projects in the state. Mayor Ramsey English-Cantu stressed the need for the development of a Regional Transportation Corridor Plan, which would provide a strategic plan on how to alleviate traffic congestion, improve travel safety, prepare for expanded regional population growth, and support economic development.
Chairman Bugg gave Mayor English-Cantu and the delegation high marks on providing key statistical information that supports the mayor’s request. He also echoed and agreed with BEDC Chairman Morris Libson that attention must be given to Eagle Pass and the region because “we are a young Laredo.”
Charlie Leal of the Office of the Governor also congratulated the mayor and the delegation for its success in securing a meeting with Chairman Bugg. “You all are taking the proper steps to creating awareness about Eagle Pass’s needs and the fact that you met with Chairman Bugg is definitely advancing your cause,” says Leal. “Every community in Texas is trying to meet with the chairman and while he is responsible for the entire state, not everyone gets to meet with him and present their case for support,” adds Leal.
The Eagle Pass BEDC began its organized transportation advocacy by participating in TEX-21 (Transportation for Excellence of the 21st Century), hosting TXDOT Chief Engineer Bill Hale in November, conducting the Regional Economic Development Forum with Congressman Will Hurd in January, and hosting TXDOT Chief Project Strategist Lauren Garduno for a transportation workshop in February.
“As Chairman of the Middle Rio Grande Development Council and a Board Member for Ports-to-Plains, I recognize and am committed to working in the spirit of community partnerships and collaborative efforts to support growth in the City of Eagle Pass and our entire region,” says Mayor Ramsey English-Cantu.” “I am pleased about the outcomes of meeting with Chairman Bruce Bugg and Charlie Leal and I am going to seek a resolution from the City Council, the Council of Governments, and our regional communities to begin the Regional Transportation Corridor Plan, we are headed in the right direction,” adds Mayor English-Cantu.
