Amid public pressure, TxDOT changes TTC plans

Pending action by FHWA, the plans to build a separate new corridor would not be part of any future environmental reviews, with the current infrastructure becoming the area for those reviews. The Final Environmental Impact Statement will be submitted by TxDOT for public review prior to seeking federal approval late this year or in early 2009.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison called TxDOT's decision a "major victory for Texas private property owners, businesses, farmers and ranchers." Although the Texas senator supported building I-69, she supported building it on existing right-of-way. She said the TxDOT decision "will more efficiently utilize taxpayer dollars while also limiting the negative impact on farm land and businesses."

Hougton said building a new highway might not be necessary if the existing one can be improved to handle additional demand. "Texans wanted assurances that the system we build is a system that benefits Texas," he said, "and we took those concerns to heart."