The Texas Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that the agency would not build the Trans-Texas Corridor-35, a plan for a toll road network that would parallel Interstate 35 from north of Dallas/Fort Worth to San Antonio.


The move follows an announcement earlier this year that Texas would change the name of the project from Trans-Texas Corridor and scale back the plan, separating it into individual projects.

The department conducted an environmental impact study, and recommended that the Federal Highway Administration take no action on the project. According to the department's recommendation letter to the FHWA, the decision was based on comments from citizens and elected officials, which indicated dissatisfaction with the project as a way of addressing future transportation challenges in Texas. Specifically, the project did not address regional or local needs.

"The National Environmental Policy Act was signed into law for a reason: to make sure that proposed infrastructure development does not impose undue environmental stress on our citizens, our economy or our environment," said Amadeo Saenz, TxDOT executive director. "Today's announcement shows that the process works. Citizens all along the I-35 corridor did their civic duty by participating in public meetings and hearings, and by voicing their concerns. Now it's our duty to respond to those concerns - by recommending the No Action Alternative for TTC-35."


The decision will not affect plans to develop Interstate 69. In addition, the department will address issues on the I-35 corridor in accordance with the Innovative Connectivity in Texas: Vision 2009 document, the new corridor concept.

"Congestion on I-35 is a serious transportation problem that must be addressed," said Ted Houghton, Texas transportation commissioner. "The Commission and the department are committed to identifying and implementing the right congestion solutions for the I-35 corridor. Our future efforts to identify potential solutions will be led by citizens, ensure that each community's concerns are heard, and result in efforts to improve I-35 and other transportation assets that enhance safety and economic opportunity."


To read the department's recommendation letter, click here.