By Munoz                                             H.C.R. No. 134
       74R8544 KMP-D
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, One of the Lone Star State's most important
    1-2  thoroughfares, U.S. Highway 83, is currently operating at or near
    1-3  capacity in many areas and has been found by many experts to be in
    1-4  immediate need of improvement and expansion; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, U.S. Highway 83 is essential to maintaining our
    1-6  state's competitive edge in international trade; it is the only
    1-7  controlled-access road in the National Highway System that connects
    1-8  all three major urban centers in the Rio Grande Valley,
    1-9  Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen, and is also the only route
   1-10  that provides access to and connects all international border
   1-11  crossings in Texas; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Critical to South Texans during natural disasters
   1-13  and emergencies, U.S. Highway 83 is the main hurricane evacuation
   1-14  route out of the Rio Grande Valley; however, due to population
   1-15  growth and increased traffic in the area, this highway's capacity
   1-16  is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of residents, even in
   1-17  off-peak hours; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, This South Texas thoroughfare plays a vital role in
   1-19  protecting the safety and economic prosperity of the citizens of
   1-20  the Lone Star State, and its expansion and improvement are indeed
   1-21  in the best interests of all Texans; now, therefore, be it
   1-22        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   1-23  hereby request that the Texas Department of Transportation take all
   1-24  necessary steps to expedite improvements to and the expansion of
    2-1  U.S. Highway 83 to a six-lane highway in and through Hidalgo and
    2-2  Cameron counties; and, be it further
    2-3        RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
    2-4  copy of this resolution to the Texas Department of Transportation.