[Ben Ficklin]

Your correct. I 69 can be built over existing roads.

But, because the adjoining land is relatively high price, you get far less capacity for the same amount of dollars.

Plus, in 30 years you have a road that can't be expanded unless you buy more of that relatively expensive adjoining land.

[Wallace T.]

It is hard to imagine that rural rights of way in South Texas and East Texas will not be available at inflation adjusted prices. The problem is and will be in urban areas like Houston, and to a lesser extent Brownsville and Harlingen. However, freeways already exist in those areas and at least in metro Houston, they are at or above Interstate requirements. Adding additional travel lanes at a future date could be done in much the same way as I-35 is being widened in Central Texas.

With as strong a level of opposition as exists to the TTC, building a traditional Interstate is a more practical option at this time. The Texas DOT does have funding issues, and bypasses of places like Victoria and Lufkin may have to be tolled, as well as the Grand Parkway. It may also be time to either increase the gasoline tax or dedicate the tax entirely to road construction. The best is the enemy of the good at times. The TTC will provide better service, but it is not politically feasible.