If they were going to build a road to alleviate congestion on I 35, why would they build it to Wichita Falls? If they were going to build a I-69 road to connect to I-69 as it will be built in AR, why would it go to Tyler and Paris?
Oklahoma (or Colorado, for that matter) bound traffic from San Antonio/Austin could completely avoid I-35 and the DFW Metromess if TXDOT would improve 281 to Wichita Falls, where I-44 connects to OK City. Or improve 87 and 283 northward to Lawton and give those dying West Texas towns an economic shot in the arm.
We all saw the traffic nightmare out of Houston during the Hurricane Rita evacuation. We desperately need alternative routes, not just highways into Dallas. Why not improve existing 59 to Lufkin, 259 to Kilgore, 271 to Paris where the Indian Nation Turnpike can take traffic north to Tulsa and toward Kansas City?
I'm just trying to be a voice of reason. Take a look at a Texas map. Why should virtually all north-south traffic be routed through Dallas/Fort Worth on I-35 and I-45, when alternative routes would help other parts of the state economically and also relieve congestion on I-35 and pollution in the DFW area?
Like I said, just common sense from a commoner. I don't see much of that coming out of Austin these days.