TxDOT Rolls Out $1.5 Billion LBJ East Project as Legislators Decide How to Pay the Bill

The Texas Department of Transportation is rolling out a public preview to the $1.5-billion LBJ East project even as state legislators are wide apart on where some of the money will come from.The 11.2-mile stretch of Interstate 635 between Central Expressway and Interstate 30 is TxDOT's top priority for the region. It will bring more lanes and continuous frontage roads to areas of Lake Highlands, Far East Dallas, Garland and Mesquite where tens of thousands of vehicles are slowed daily."It is the priority. It's necessary now," said TxDOT spokeswoman Michelle Raglon. "We have hope it will be fully funded."The framework being presented by TxDOT officials at a public meeting next week in Dallas includes a section where two of seven lanes would be tolled and managed. Those would connect to tolled and managed lanes already in place west of Central Expressway.Transportation officials maintain the tolled lanes are needed to help fund about a third of the project. Most who travel LBJ East, however, would continue to do so for free.  Continue reading...