Feb. 27, 2003

Gov. Perry Commends Texas Transportation Commission Vote on Roads

Commission Secures $17.6 Million for Upgrades to Roads that Will Serve Toyota Plant

AUSTIN - Responding to Gov. Rick Perry's request to expedite road improvements around the future Toyota plant site, the Texas Transportation Commission voted today to allocate $17.6 million to upgrade roads around the Bexar County site.

"Just two weeks after securing the plant, city, county and state officials have already developed a plan for handling the increased traffic anticipated around the plant site," Perry said. "I commend the Texas Transportation Commission for moving quickly to allocate these funds. This action confirms Texas understands business and is ready to work to attract jobs to our state."

Today's commission vote will allow for the widening of Zarzamora, Applewhite and Watson roads in southern Bexar County to handle increased traffic around the Toyota plant, which is expected to add $2.4 billion to the state's economy over the next 10 years. The road projects will be a cooperative effort between the Texas Department of Transportation and Bexar County.

Construction of the $800 million plant is scheduled to begin in 2004. The plant is expected to begin production of Tundra trucks in 2006. Once fully operational, it will produce 150,000 trucks a year, and employ approximately 2,000 people with an annual payroll of $100 million.