The Department of Transportation contends its proposal isdesigned to improve the ease of driving on state highways, as wellas enhance safety for drivers on those passages. "The plan wouldnot affect existing frontage roads," department spokesperson GabyGarcia tells GlobesSt.com.

"Our position is you shouldn't have a one-size-fits-all policy,"North Central Texas Council of Governments transportation directorMichael Morris says. "Maybe in rural areas, you may well want torestrict frontage roads, and on toll roads we restrict access, butit's wrong to that they're never a positive thing. That's whatwe're trying to sort out."

Skeptics are concerned the proposal would lead to greatertraffic snarls down the road, and limited access to hot commercialproperties. And detractors are seeking details on areas in whichthese frontage roads will be restricted, and how much flexibilitythe proposal will allow for planned but not-yet-constructedroads.