Traffic at the intersection of State Highway 78 and County Road 6 in Lavon, on the east side of Collin County in September 2014. Regional leaders say increased traffic at this and several other intersections show the need for a toll road from Garland to Greenville. (Stewart F. House / Special Contributor )
The North Central Texas Council of Governments is reversing its recommendation to add a controversial rural toll road to the region’s long-term transportation plan. Officials weren’t immediately available for comment Friday afternoon, but the move could halt the project. Projects typically have to be in that plan in order to move forward.
NCTCOG transportation director Michael Morris previously said that his agency was rethinking the recommendation it made last month after more than 1,200 residents showed up to a meeting in Rockwall to oppose the toll road from Garland to Greenville. While the recommendation preceded that raucous meeting, it followed other meetings where residents vocally opposed the road.
Since NCTCOG’s recommendation, several cities along or near possible routes for the Northeast Gateway have formally opposed the project. Those cities include Fate, Josephine, Lavon, Rockwall, Rowlett, Sachse and Wylie.
The 28-mile road is being developed by private company Texas Turnpike Corp., which has the ability to use eminent domain. It was unclear Friday afternoon how the company plans to proceed. Company officials have said that the Texas Department of Transportation has final approval of their plans. Company officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday afternoon.