Dellinger on I-69: "It's About Being on the System"

The first steps to make I-69 a reality in Texas occurred earlier this month when the Federal Highway Administration informed TxDOT that it had granted a request to add part of US 77 to the Interstate system. Stretching six miles between Interstate 37 and SH 44 in South Texas, the request to redesignate the route reflected the combined wishes and support of the Texas Congressional Delegation, the Texas Legislature, local officials and citizen-led I-69 advisory and segment committees. Unlike its sister and brother numbered Interstate routes, Interstate 69 was an afterthought to the planners of the original Interstate highway system. In fact, planning only began 20 years ago for I-69, a route that could one day begin at the U.S.-Mexico Border in Laredo, pass through seven states, and finally cross into Canada through Michigan. But as Matt Delliger outlined in his book, Interstate 69: The Unfinished History of the Last Great American Highway, I-69 has a long way to go, not only in Texas but along its entire proposed route. Read more from Matt Delliger at his web site, www.mattdellinger.com. Note: This episode was originally recorded in late 2010.