The Texas Department of Transportation said that existing highways could be incorporated into the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor, a planned 4,000 mile superhighway that would incorporate tolling and truck-only lanes.
TxDOT’s recommendations, published as part of a draft environmental impact statement that was issued jointly with the Federal Highway Administration, would focus on using existing highways first, with new corridors as a secondary option.
“We are doing what the public asked us to do and that is look at existing highways first,” said Amadeo Saenz, TxDOT executive director. “If improvements to existing highways and infrastructure cannot be made to handle long range transportation needs . . . other options will be considered.
TxDOT said the report kicks off a public comment period, as part of which the agency plans to hold 10 “town hall” meetings in January. Formal hearings on the draft environmental impact statement are slated for February, TxDOT said.
The TxDOT/FHWA study deals with environmental impacts related to the proposed extension of Interstate 69. Currently, I-69 runs from the Canadian border to Indianapolis. Under the Trans-Texas Corridor proposal, the road would eventually be extended through Texas to the Mexican border.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has supported the project, lauding the proposed corridor as a means of relieving congestion throughout the state.
