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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Constructed in 1973, the JFK Causeway Bridge serves |
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as a major gateway between Padre Island and the Corpus |
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Christi/Flour Bluff area, and the causeway is nearing capacity due |
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to increased vehicle traffic; and |
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WHEREAS, Padre Island, Mustang Island, Port Aransas, Corpus |
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Christi, and other communities surrounding the JFK Causeway have |
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experienced significant population growth over the years, creating |
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a critical need for additional traffic routes to accommodate more |
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travelers between the barrier island and the mainland; and |
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WHEREAS, During dangerous and life-threatening weather |
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events, easily accessible evacuation routes are crucial to ensure |
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the safety of area residents, and the single route provided by the |
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JFK Causeway may not be sufficient in an emergency; slower travel |
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times caused by high traffic density could endanger the lives of |
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evacuees; and |
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WHEREAS, The potential benefits of constructing a second |
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causeway connecting Padre Island to the mainland range from |
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reducing travel time to preserving life, and it is imperative that |
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this option be explored; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby request that the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the |
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House of Representatives create a joint interim committee to study |
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the construction of a second vehicular causeway connecting Padre |
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Island to the mainland; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including |
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findings and recommendations, to the 89th Texas Legislature in |
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January 2025. |