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.