The Texas Department of Transportation is holding 254 “road shows” this month – one in each county of the state – to see what citizens think of the Trans-Texas Corridor, a project that would feature separate car, truck and high-speed rail throughout the state.

The proposed superhighway would be funded through tolls (except on existing highways), bonds and other means. Construction would be by private contractors – the route would connect with existing east-west and north-south highways, but would not be a part of the current highway system.

The idea in part responds to the state's population growth, which is viewed as too rapid for its transportation system to keep up. From 1990 to 2000, the state's population grew 23 percent. Vehicle miles traveled increased 41 percent. Yet highway lane capacity increased just 3 percent.