Opponents of the corridor celebrate as officials promise a more modest approach.

The man behind the plan insists the vision is not a failed one.

"I respectfully disagree. People in Texas in 2002 when I laid out that vision understood we had huge congestion problems," said Governor Rick Perry, acknowledging his office was onboard when the Texas Department of Transportation decided to scale back the Trans Texas Corridor plan.

"The key is we have to go forward, and build the infrastructure so that the State of Texas and our economy can continue to grow," Perry said.

The plan was the focus of major opposition for many years-much of it from rural property owners, who objected to the vision of wide corridors-containing toll roads, rail tracks, pipelines, and power lines-linking major metropolitan areas in the Lone Star State.

"I think this is a great day for Texans-for property owners, for those who travel our highways, and buy goods and services in our state," said David Stall with Corridor Watch-one of several opposition groups against the plan. Still, Stall said he and his group will keep an eye on things in Austin.

"I think toll roads will remain a part of the mix for financing highways. The question is, are highways going to be used to generate revenue-or are they going to be used to provide transportation to the motoring public," Stall said.
Copyright © 2003-2013 Clear Channel. All rights reserved.