By: Nieto H.R. No. 229 73R3850 RNS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The cities of Eagle Pass and Laredo are major points 1-2 of entry into Mexico that are used both by commercial vehicles and 1-3 by countless tourists, and their status as transportation centers 1-4 for the entire nation will be greatly enhanced by the advent of the 1-5 North American Free Trade Agreement; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The ability of Texas communities to enjoy the many 1-7 benefits promised by increased trade with Mexico depends upon the 1-8 creation and maintenance of an infrastructure that is adequate to 1-9 accommodate vastly increasing use and demand; and 1-10 WHEREAS, U.S. Highway 57 from the city of Eagle Pass to 1-11 Interstate Highway 35 and U.S. Highway 83 from the city of Junction 1-12 to Interstate Highway 35 are vital links between the cities of 1-13 Eagle Pass and Laredo and the network of interstate highways that 1-14 span the nation; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Heavy traffic has left these highways in need of 1-16 significant maintenance and further expansion from two to four 1-17 lanes to provide for ease of commerce and the continued safety of 1-18 the travelling public; and 1-19 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives believes that the 1-20 prosperity of this region and the economic development of the 1-21 entire state are greatly affected by the adequacy of our roads, 1-22 bridges, and highways to accommodate the increasing demands of 1-23 international trade; now, therefore, be it 1-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-1 Legislature hereby request the Texas Transportation Commission to 2-2 undertake necessary repairs and expansion to four lanes of U.S. 2-3 Highway 57 from the city of Eagle Pass to Interstate Highway 35 and 2-4 U.S. Highway 83 between the city of Junction and Interstate Highway 2-5 35; and, be it further 2-6 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the 2-7 members of the Texas Transportation Commission as an official 2-8 expression of the sentiment of the Texas House of Representatives.