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| Chamber members hear updates on transportation study |
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Members of the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce received an update regarding future plans for freight movement and traffic concerns during the monthly Mobility and Transportation Committee meeting. Chandra Bondzie, a transportation planner for the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC), presented an update regarding the regional goods movement study. The study is designed to serve as a catalyst for area planning agencies to prepare for growth and its potential transportation issues. “What we’ve come to realize is that freight is our regions economy in motion,” Bondzie said. “We’re no longer strictly warehouse based like in the 80s.” Bondzie went on to mention that 465 million tons of freight, with over $1.3 trillion, was transported through the HGAC region in 2007. “A lot of the factor (in where freight moves) is because of population growth,” Bondzie said. “If we increase commuter efficiency, we increase the efficiency of freight.” Bondzie went on to explain that part of HGAC’s mission is to commission studies such as this in order to contribute to the economic competiveness of the region, as well as citizens quality of life. “I think to know what it’s about and to provide applicable feedback to let them know our future plans, is important,” Tomball Chamber Mobility and Transportation Committee Chairman John Fishero said. “I thought it was interesting how the distribution centers are moving away from (the Houston port area to the outlying suburbs).” Bondzie told the chamber members that some of the concerns they have heard at this point included congestion, safety, employment factors, economic factors and funding. Private and public entities have already presented potential solutions and are excited about the outcome of the completed study. Fishero went on to explain that HGAC’s mission is important to Tomball and any future plans that may require help from Washington DC or Austin. “Any federal funding would come through (HGAC),” said Fishero. Fishero also said it is important for Tomball to be a part of planning scenarios now, in order to ensure it isn’t left out in the future. “If you aren’t part of the planning stage you’ll never get the funding later on,” he said. If you have concerns regarding the study and its implications on future transportation issues, HGAC will be holding public information meetings in September and October. For more information, visit www.hgac.com/taq.
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