[TXnMA]

According to TexDOT, it would be cheaper to build an entirely new route than to expand the current highway outward, which would require buying out many established businesses.

"This part makes sense. Does anyone dispute that?"

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Yep. Most Texas highways run thru rural land, where this is not a consideration -- and the TTC route is already "looped around" the big urban areas where it applies.

[Will88]

“Yep. Most Texas highways run thru rural land, where this is not a consideration — and the TTC route is already “looped around” the big urban areas where it applies.”

I wondered. Where I live there’s plenty of room along the interstates to add lanes, and as you say, the cities are looped with new six or more lane bypasses.

[WOSG]

“Most Texas highways run thru rural land”

NOT I-35!! Which is the key bottleneck.

“the TTC route is already “looped around” the big urban areas where it applies.”

yes, that is the point... it is rural because land is cheaper.