Texas scales back planned road, infrastructure project
Trans Texas Corridor project hits the skids
By Dave Hannon -- Purchasing, 1/7/2009 12:30:00 PM
Despite the fact that its roads recently received a grade of D from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the State of Texas has scrapped plans for the Trans Texas Corridor, a giant network of roads and commuter trains at a cost of $180 billion, and plans a smaller version of the ambitious project.
According to Reuters, the Trans Texas Corridor was devised in 2002 by Governor Rick Perry and aspired to build 4,000 miles of transport corridors a quarter mile wide, which would include room for high-voltage power lines, commuter and freight rail lines, and five road lanes in each direction. But the plan was heavily opposed by residents and farmers whose land may have been taken by eminent domain for the project.
The Texas Dept. of Transportation says in a newly released plan that it will change the name of the project and it will focus on smaller segments with lanes only 600 feet wide. And the Austin American-Statesman reports that Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director Amadeo Saenz said all elements of the original plan, including a tollway twin to Interstate 35, could be built as stand-alone projects if and when they are deemed necessary.
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