State Officals Push For Toll Road Construction

DALLAS (AP) — State transportation officials are pushing for construction of a toll road in North Texas even though many towns near the planned route are condemning the project.  

The Northeast Gateway is part of the state's 10-year plan for transportation projects. It would extend from the Dallas suburb of Garland northeast to Greenville.

The Dallas Morning News reports (http://bit.ly/1xvi1oQ ) that state Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-Garland, last week sent a letter to the Texas Transportation Commission arguing it hadn't taken "into account public involvement."

Towns such as Fate, Rockwall and Wylie have criticized the project.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments reversed an earlier recommendation to include the road in the region's transportation plans.

The gateway is being developed by private company Texas Turnpike Corp., which has authority to use eminent domain.