Texas drivers are no strangers to congestion, and as the state grows, more cars clogging asphalt arteries will demand more roads. But how to pay for them is creating plenty of questions for state lawmakers this legislative session.

KVUE News

Hundreds of people attended the transportation hearing.

"People want us to build the roads, they want it to do it now, they're willing to pay for it, they're just not willing to pay for it through private toll roads, operated by private interests outside the state of Texas," said State Senator John Carona, R-Dallas. Carona chairs the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee.

The Texas Department of Transportation has become a target of criticism for its growing move toward using private companies to built and run a network of new toll roads.

Thursday, the Capitol auditorium overflowed with people for a public hearing before Carona's Senate committee. One by one, speakers sounded off against private financing of toll roads, and the supersized toll road -- the Trans-Texas Corridor.

"We believe that the move toward increased tolling and have a closed transportation system is going to have a long term negative effect," said TTC opponent Will Lawrence.

The state transportation commissioner, Ric Williamson, also appeared before the committee. He stressed the demands of fast population growth on the state's already over-taxed transportation infrastructure. Williamson said Texas doesn't have the money to expand the highway system without privately-funded toll roads.

"Yes, it is revenue related, because there is no revenue to expand I-35," Williamson said.

Bills filed this session could help raise revenue to keep pace with needs. Senator Carona's proposing raising the 20 cent/gallon gas tax to help pay for the building of new roads.

"I'm confident reform legislation can occur in the Senate," Carona said. But he said it may not be likely in the House.