Fresh attention for plan to expand I-35E

DALLAS — The Texas Transportation Commission has told its staff to submit plans on how to fast-track an estimated $4 billion expansion of Interstate 35 between Dallas and Denton.

The commission wants details by January.

The Dallas Morning News reported Monday that the project is a prime candidate for financing similar to private toll deals nixed by the 2009 Legislature.

Lawmakers defeated attempts to extend the authority for so-called comprehensive development agreements with private companies to build roads, in exchange for toll revenue.

Commission member Ted Houghton of El Paso said Friday that authorities have got to use all of these innovative ways of building highways "or we won't be building."

Passthrough toll financing would have Texas promising to make payments to the firms based on the level of traffic use on the roadways.