Highway to Hell (Literally): TxDOT Granted Power to Ignore Everyone, Including Common Sense

In a stunning display of bureaucratic efficiency, the Trump administration has decided that the best way to handle environmental oversight is to simply not handle it at all. That’s right, folks—TxDOT, the same agency that once thought adding 12 lanes to I-35 was a great idea, is now being handed the keys to its own environmental compliance kingdom. Because nothing says "trust us" like letting the highway department grade its own homework.

Under the proposed changes, TxDOT will no longer be burdened by pesky things like "public notice" or "community input." Why bother telling people they can sue you when you can just hope they don’t find out? The agency’s new motto might as well be: "Out of sight, out of mind, and preferably under concrete."

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, a man who clearly has never been stuck in Austin traffic, praised the move, calling previous environmental justice initiatives "burdensome." Ah yes, because ensuring marginalized communities don’t get steamrolled by yet another highway expansion is such a drag on progress. Who needs clean air or equitable infrastructure when you can have more lanes?

Meanwhile, environmental advocates are—shockingly—not thrilled. Michael Moritz of the Texas Streets Coalition pointed out that this move effectively dissolves "the checks and balances that most people believe are a cornerstone of the United States government." But let’s be real, when was the last time checks and balances stopped anything in Texas? If the state wanted to pave over the Alamo to make room for an HOV lane, they’d probably find a way.

And let’s not forget TxDOT’s stellar track record. Federal auditors previously found "serious, recurring issues" with the agency’s compliance, including public engagement activities that were about as effective as a "No Parking" sign in a Walmart parking lot. But hey, why let a little thing like history get in the way of progress?

So, if you’ve ever dreamed of a future where highways appear overnight like mushrooms after rain, where community input is as mythical as a functional public transit system, and where environmental reviews are as thorough as a TikTok deep dive—congratulations! Your dreams are about to come true. Just don’t ask who’s paying for it. (Spoiler: It’s you.)

Public comment is open until July 7, but let’s be honest, by then TxDOT will probably have already started digging. Happy driving, y’all! 🚧💨