After years of planning, studying, talking, and more studying, I-69 in East Texas is closer to becoming a reality.

The final proposal has been presented to the Texas Dept. of Transportation, and now the project is entering into the public interaction phase.

There's a meeting planned for Tuesday in Nacogdoches to gather more public input and share the plan for the new Interstate.

Upgrade projects have been completed on US 59 in Lufkin to get ready for the new section of I-69, according to the Alliance for I-69 website.  The website also says the new interstate will connect travelers and businesses in Texarkana, Marshall, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Houston, Wharton, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo and dozens of smaller communities.

On Tuesday, members of the I-69 Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties Committee are scheduled to have a third meeting, with public outreach the main focus.  The group will meet from 2-5 p.m. on Tuesday in Nacogdoches at the Nacogdoches County Civic Center, 3805 N.W. Stallings Drive.  After this, they'll fully present the plan for I-69 to the public, and then construction likely in 2015.

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