$1.6 Billion Freeway Expansion Project Approved in Dallas

"The Texas Department of Transportation now has its governing body's approval to seek bids on 10.8 miles of Interstate 635 between Central Expressway and Interstate 30 — known as LBJ East to planners," reports Ray Leszcynski.

"The result will be another free lane in each direction, continuous frontage roads that the 50-year-old freeway doesn't have now, and an improved interchange at Interstate 30. The current HOV/Express Lanes in each direction, which are tolled, are 'grandfathered' into the deal and will be rebuilt," adds Leszcynski.

A follow-up column by Leszcynski opens the discussion to questions about the long-term viability of Texas' transportation spending agenda in the Dallas area, i.e., how it will ever be possible for state and local authorities to come up with $24 billion in projects on the Texas Department of Transportation's wish list for the Dallas district. The LBJ Freeway project is only the third-most expensive project on that list, though it is the top priority for the region.

According to Leszcynski, the roadmap for infrastructure spending provided by the LBJ Freeway's example is very much an unproven concept.