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R-96-11-07-10J - 11/7/1996RESOLUTION NO. R- 96- 11- 07 -10J WHEREAS, population and employment growth over the past decade within the Greater Austin Area and the Central Texas Region has exceeded all expected levels; and WHEREAS, from all indications population and employment will continue to increase at a rapid rate making this region one of the fastest growing in the United States; and WHEREAS, the Austin Metropolitan Area has successfully diversified its economic base to attract high tech industry and through this diversification has identified the region as the leader in the State for economic development and increased tax base; and WHEREAS, current transportation infrastructure is inadequate for present and future projected levels of traffic, and poses serious hazards to public safety for all citizens in the metropolitan area; and WHEREAS, the lack of state and federal funding available for major roadway projects in this area creates the necessity of alternative funding sources, such as the construction of toll financed facilities; and WHEREAS, several toll financing studies are proposed and underway for roadway projects in Williamson and Travis Counties, including SH 130, US 183 -A, and the extension of SH 45 /Loop 1; and A. \WPDOCS \RRSOLVII\R861107J WPD /RCg ATTEST: h/ncb E LAND, City Secretary 2 WHEREAS, a comprehensive regional study of these identified toll road opportunities and possibly others as a system wide network is necessary to determine the financial feasibility of such projects; Now Therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, That the Round Rock City Council hereby joins the delegation from Williamson and Travis Counties to request study funds in the amount of $500,000 from the Texas Turnpike Authority to be allocated to the Austin Transportation Study for a system wide analysis of tollroad feasibility for roadway projects in Williamson and Travis Counties, including SH 130, US 183 -A, and extensions of SH 45 /Loop 1. RESOLVED this 7th day of November, 1996. CHARLES C PPER, Mayor City of Round Rock, Texas Mayor Charles Culpepper Mayor Pro-tem Earl Palmer Couxit Members Robert Stluka Rod Morgan Rick Stewart Martha Chavez !loony Joseph Qty Manager Robert L Bennett Jr. City Attorney Stephan L Sheeu November 8, 1996 Michael Aulick, Executive Director Austin Transportation Study PO Box 1088 - Annex Austin, Texas 78767 Dear Michael: Sincerely, Charles Cu pepper Mayor encl.: map, resolution G imotadlen Wulick 1 •x Fax: 512.21&7097 CITY OF ROUND ROCK As per your discussion with Joe Vining, we are requesting assistance from the Austin Transportation Study to seek study funds from the Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA). Our delegation appearing at the December 4 meeting of TTA will consist of a coalition of public and private supporters in the Central Texas Region whose objective is to obtain approximately $500,000 to study the feasibility of tollraod financing for a regional system of projects, including SH 130, SH 183 -A and extensions of SH 45 and Loop 1. 221 East Main Street Round Rock, Texas 78664 512 - 218 -5400 The map included with this transmittal indicates the four projects we are interested in. As I understand, these four projects are already included in the ATS Plan as needing feasibility study for tollroad financing. Further, I understand that you were planning to ask ATS to send you to the December 4 TTA meeting to request study funds for SH 183 -A, exclusively. We believe a request for a regional system -wide study, as opposed to individual study proposals, is a better approach. We have support from Round Rock city and chamber officials, the Greater Austin Chamber officials, other cities within Travis and Williamson Counties, county officials and others, such as state officials, regional organizations and businesses. We believe the Austin Transportation Study is the entity to whom study funds should be directed. ATS would then contract with a firm or firms to conduct the study. Enclosed please find a map and draft resolution. Should have any questions, please phone me. We will be ready to introduce the subject at the ATS meeting on November 18. 1. 800-735.2989 TDD 1- 800. 735.2988 Voice Mayor Charles Culpepper Mayor Proem Earl Palmer Council Member Robert Stlaka Rod Morgan Rick Stewart Chavez ry Joseph City Manager Robert L Bennett Jr. City Attorney Stephan L Sheets TTY OF ROUND ROCK October 31, 1996 James W. Griffin, Executive Director Texas Turnpike Authority 3015 Raleigh Street P.O. Box 190369 Dallas, Texas 75219 Dear Mr. Griffin: On behalf of the City of Round Rock and a coalition of the Williamson County and Travis County communities and business leaders, I am requesting an opportunity to appear before the Texas Turnpike Authority's Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday, December 4, 1996. We would like to address the Board regarding our request for funding by the Texas Tumpike Authority to initiate a regional/comprehensive toll feasibility study for Williamson and Travis Counties. The scope of the feasibility study would be to address a regional network of toll facilities, including SH 130, US 183 -A, and the SH 45/Loop 1 extensions. State and Federal funding has become increasingly less available, and these projects are all urgently needed to respond to existing traffic needs in the area. We appreciate the efforts already underway by the Authority; however, we believe that by working through the Austin Transportation Study, a regional study addressing these improvements in a comprehensive network would be the optimal approach. As you are aware, we are working with your staff and the MPO to provide new traffic count information, updated land use and employment information, and current aerial photography and mapping. We look forward to continuing to work with your staff in preparation for our appearance before the Board on the 4th of December. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me. Sine rely harles Culpepper, Pdliyor City of Round Rock Fax: 512.218 -7097 1- 800. 735.2989 TDD 1-800-735-2988 Kota 221 East Main Street Round Rock. Texas 78664 512-218-5400 Date: November 5,1996 Subject: City Council Meeting November 7,1996 Item: 10.J. Consider a resolution supporting the Comprehensive Regional Study of toll road opportunities in Williamson County. Staff Resource Person: Joe Vining Staff Recommendation: Approval A delegation of interested cities, chambers of commerce, and members of the business community are requesting consideration by the Texas Tumpike Authority to fund a study of toll road opportunities in Williamson County. Specifically, the request is to request is to determine how US 183 -A, SH 45, Loop 1, and SH 130 can be designed as a system to benefit mobility in and round our county. The attached resolution would show our support for this study.