By Lucio                                             S.C.R. No. 127
       74R9417 KMP-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, Access to South Padre Island currently is restricted
    1-2  to only one route, the Queen Isabella Causeway, and the lack of
    1-3  secondary roads serving this area threatens the safety of visitors
    1-4  and residents alike; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, When an accident occurs or road repairs are being
    1-6  made to the causeway, traffic slows to a stop, not only preventing
    1-7  citizens from commuting to work and school but also endangering
    1-8  those who travel to Port Isabel to receive emergency medical care;
    1-9  this transportation problem becomes even more critical during times
   1-10  of natural disaster, when successful evacuation of the island
   1-11  depends entirely on the proper operation of one narrow lifeline to
   1-12  the mainland; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, South Padre Island is home to nearly 1,800 Texans
   1-14  and welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, and it is
   1-15  indeed in the best interest of all Texans that this island be
   1-16  readily accessible at all times; now, therefore, be it
   1-17        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   1-18  hereby request that the Texas Department of Transportation study
   1-19  potential alternative routes of access to South Padre Island; and,
   1-20  be it further
   1-21        RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
   1-22  copy of this resolution to the Texas Department of Transportation.