News

February 02, 2009

Media contact: John Egan
Elizabeth Christian & Associates Public Relations
512-472-9599
jegan@echristianpr.com

AUSTIN, Texas—Bruce Todd, executive director of the Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Association, issued the following statement regarding Sen. John Carona’s letter this week to his legislative colleagues about transportation in Texas:

“Senator Carona is to be applauded for his bold, thoughtful leadership in outlining the pressing transportation needs of our state. In his letter, Senator Carona pointed out that traffic congestion, air quality problems, traffic safety issues, lack of intercity connectivity, aging bridges and neglected maintenance are urgent matters. The Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Association couldn’t agree more.

“Among the critical transportation needs of our state is improvement of the aging freight and passenger rail infrastructure. Senator Carona’s letter spells out a comprehensive approach to our transportation challenges that includes putting money into the voter-approved Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund.

“If Texas truly wants to have what Senator Carona calls a ‘balanced transportation system,’ state lawmakers must allocate money for the Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund. Leaving rail out of the equation would leave us with a transportation system that’s even more out of balance than it is now.”

About the Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Association
The Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Association is a statewide coalition of municipal, county and state elected officials, as well as groups and concerned Texans, who are interested in improving transportation throughout the state. Rail Relo NOW! is an initiative of the association aimed at obtaining state funding for relocation and improvement of freight rail lines around Texas. For more information, visit www.railrelo.org.