Traffic Woes Will Likely Increase With Transportation Cuts
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - North Texas traffic may be bad now, but it might be getting a whole lot worse.
Regional transportation planners first proposed making deep cuts in highway funding last December. On Thursday elected leaders across North Texas made it final, eliminating plans to widen I-30 between Downtown Dallas and Rockwall.
In all, they slashed $50 billion in regional transportation projects for the next 20 years.
Regional transportation planner Dan Lamers says the state just doesn't have the money to pay for roads. "The gravy train regarding transportation funding is over, and there are serious projects at risk if something's not done to address the financial situation."
Other highways that will NOT be expanded for the next 20 years include:
- I-30 between west Arlington and Fort Worth in Tarrant County.
- I-35W between State Highway 114 and I-35E in Denton County.
- I-45 between downtown Dallas and I-20
- I-35E between downtown Dallas and State Highway 183,
- State Highway 114 in Irving.
All of these cuts are happening while planners say the region's population is expected to grow from 6.5 million to 10 million people during the next 20 plus years.
The news is disappointing to drivers like Rochelle Johnson. "Really? That's terrible. Can't ya'll take up some kind of collection?"
So what's the short-term solution? More toll roads and tolled lanes on existing freeways.
But the bottom line is there is no pot of gold at the end of the transportation rainbow.
Planners say cities across North Texas will now have to totally re-think how they plan for new developments and the traffic that will accompany them.
