Access key to UNT growth

[NT80]

From the NT Daily:

Burgess: access key

Representative speaks on Denton transportation

Tyler Tamplin

Staff Writer

January 24, 2003

U.S. Representative and NT alumnus Dr. Michael Burgess said Thursday he is unsure of further university growth with the present state of transportation in Denton.

Speaking from a private hangar at Denton Municipal Airport, Burgess said the issue of university access would be "key" in his upcoming report to the U.S. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in Washington, D.C.

Recognizing NT as a major commuting port, Burgess said any transportation improvements already made were reduced in efficiency by the growth in number of vehicles.

"Although the number [of vehicles] is greater, there are still many of the same problems," he said.

Burgess toured several Denton sites that city and university officials hoped he would recommend for federal funding in the interest of city development.

The report will address several areas of transportation interests in Denton County.

Areas mentioned were access to the Eagle Point Golf Club, the condition of Interstate Highway 35 in Denton County, and money for a rail system to connect the city with Metroplex development.

Burgess added that his was purely a "preliminary" visit and would not give details as to the potential amount of money or work plans for the areas.

Dr. Norval Pohl, NT president, said that although federal funding would provide no financial relief for students, they would have an "indirect benefit" from decreased highway driving time to campus.