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Planners kick toll road proposal to curb

Mark Haslett

Opponents of the proposed toll road from Greenville to the President George Bush Turnpike in far northeastern Dallas County have spoken, and the North Central Texas Council of Governments appears to have heard.

Staff at the agency announced on Oct. 17 that they will not recommend that the toll road, called Northeast Gateway, be included in the regional transportation plan, called Mobility 2035.

“Instead, staff are recommending the Blacklands facility should remain as a corridor for future evaluation, with updated limits, consistent with the North Central Texas Council of Governments feasibility study that has involved technical work as well as public involvement opportunities during the last 15 months,” officials said in a release.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments had previously recommended in favor of the road, but one month of strong public opposition prior to the Oct. 17 announcement appears to have contributed to the agency's reversal of its position.

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.