June 11, 2008 - TxDOT News Release

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced today that it will
recommend that the I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC) Project be developed using existing
highway facilities wherever possible. If additional travel lanes are added to existing highways,
only the new lanes would have tolls.

"After a dozen town hall meetings, nearly 50 public hearings, and countless one-on-one
conversations, it is clear to us that Texans want us to use existing roadways to start building the
Texas portion of Interstate 69," said Texas Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton.

"TxDOT's recommendation would effectively shrink our environmental study down to roads such
as U.S. Highways 77 and 281 in South Texas, State Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 59 along
the Coastal Bend and U.S. Highways 84 and 59 in East Texas. We are dropping consideration
of new corridors that would run west of Houston in addition to other proposals for new highway
footprint in other parts of the state."

TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz, in a letter to the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA), wrote "The preliminary basis for this decision centers on the review of nearly 28,000
public comments made on the Tier One DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact statement). The
overwhelming sentiment of these comments focused on the need to improve the existing
transportation network" rather than building a new corridor for the project.

TxDOT's stated intention has been to focus on making needed improvements to existing and
planned transportation facilities within the I-69/TTC study area. Such upgrades may fully satisfy
the project's need to improve the international, interstate, and intrastate movement of people
and goods for many decades.

In May, the Texas Transportation Commission adopted guiding principles and policies that
will govern the development, construction and operation of toll road projects on the state
highway system and the Trans-Texas Corridor. In addition to reaffirming that only new lanes
added to an existing highway will be tolled and that there will be no reduction in the number of
non-tolled lanes, the Commission stated that wherever possible, existing right-of-way would be
considered for the development of new projects.

"The Commission made it clear that they wanted their newly-adopted principles applied to
the development of important projects like I-69 and a parallel corridor to I-35," said Saenz. "We
are closer than ever to realizing the promise and the potential of I-69, and we will move forward
with this important Transportation Commission policy in the front of our minds."

Saenz said that TxDOT would continue to talk to the public about I-69/TTC, and he
encouraged Texans to ask questions and share their ideas. He noted that the recently-named I-69 Corridor Advisory Committee will help guide TxDOT's work on the project. Saenz said he looked forward to the appointment of Segment Advisory Committees comprised of local leaders who will help further develop I-69/TTC.

"We also want to keep working with our Congressional delegation and the Texas
Legislature," added Transportation Commissioner Houghton. "Legislative leadership, public
involvement and local commitment will all be essential if we are going build this long-awaited
highway."

TxDOT is preparing its report for FHWA following completion of the public involvement
process for the environmental review of I-69/TTC. If today's recommendation is approved by
FHWA, plans for a separate new corridor would be dropped from future environmental reviews,
and the existing infrastructure would serve as the study area for future environmental review.
TxDOT is expected to submit its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for public
review prior to federal approval late in 2008 or early in 2009. FHWA approval of the FEIS does
not authorize property acquisition or construction.

In the future, the northern and southern portions of I-69/TTC could be linked in the Houston
area. Houston's connection to I-69/TTC, including access to the Port of Houston, will be
determined in coordination with elected leaders and transportation planners in the area.
A copy of Saenz's letter to FHWA and a new map reflecting TxDOT's recommendation are
available on the internet.
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The Texas Department of Transportation - The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its 15,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and increasing the value of the state's transportation assets.
For more Information call TxDOT's Government & Public Affairs Division at (512) 463-8588