Published: January 07, 2009 10:22 am      

Trans-Texas Corridor plan bites the dust

Officials say, however, that some related work will be completed

Austin — State officials said Tuesday they are scrapping the proposed network of toll roads known as the Trans-Texas Corridor, a massive transportation project that critics called an expensive boondoggle.

"The days of the Trans-Texas Corridor are over, it's finished up," said Gov. Rick Perry, speaking on a conference call from Iraq.

Since 2002 Perry had promoted the corridor, which was envisioned as a huge set of highways, rail and utility lines crisscrossing the state but had been under fire almost since its inception. Rural landowners in particular were opposed to giving up their property for the project.

Associates of the governor have said for weeks the corridor would not take shape as originally envisioned, and on Tuesday scaled-down plans were unveiled.

Amadeo Saenz, executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation, said major corridor projects will now comprise several small segments closer to 600 feet wide. Original plans called for corridors up to 1,200 feet wide to allow for several modes of transportation and utility transmission facilities.

Perry said projects like Interstate 69 — which would run from northeast Texas to the Rio Grande Valley — and highways that will run parallel to north-south I-35 will continue.

The governor said it's not a public relations failure on his part or a rejection of his views.

He said Texans realize that there's major congestion along IH-35 and other highways, and that they don't want their leaders "sticking our heads in the sand."

"I'm not afraid of taking on big and tough issues," Perry said.

Road-building is a cornerstone of Perry's administration and is certain to be an issue in his 2010 re-election bid.

His potential primary opponent, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, also has said transportation should be one of the state's top priorities.