Its costing taxpayers nearly $2 Billion, and now a TxDot project that is expected to transform 16 miles of Interstate 20, East Loop 820 and U.S. 287 in Tarrant County has been labeled one of the country's most wasteful highway projects.
The project known as the Southeast Connector was one of seven expansion projects highlighted in the annual "Highway Boondoggles," report prepared by two watchdog organizations.
Bay Scoggin director of Texas Public Interest Research Group says expansion doesn't mean less congestion.
"When we get shiny new highways, more people think it's going to be a great way to spend their commute, but it ends up increasing commute times" said Scoggins. "For anyone that doesn't believe me, you can look to 410 in Fort Worth for an example."
In their reports, researchers evaluated factors such as cost, the effect on local transportation systems and impacts on the environment and surrounding neighborhoods.
Scoggin says alternate forms of transportation need to be explored to lessen congestion.
