All schematics are preliminary except as noted.
With traffic in Texas getting worse each year, a growing number of state leaders want to borrow road construction money so they can build now and pay later. But the price the state would pay could be a lot higher than some lawmakers expect, if experiences outside Texas are any guide. These proposals to issue road construction bonds and pay them off with future federal highway money supported by Gov. Rick Perry, Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander and a slew of lawmakers could leave the state with little cash to build new roads or maintain existing ones in 10 to 15 years, critics say. It makes possible completion of projects now that would take decades to complete or even start. A half-dozen other states have begun to leverage highway bonds with future federal aid, and several have reported early success.