1-13-04 - A federal bill could be key to the future expansion of highway 289 through Grayson County. Tex-dot commissioner Robert Nichols met with county officials Tuesday.

Right now, Texas only gets an 88 cent return on every dollar from the gasoline tax fund. But this new bill would give the state a 95 percent return. The difference would add up to big money for the state - over $1.2 billion over the next six years.

It would be enough money for Tex-dot to foot the bill for the much anticipated highway 289 project that would run from highway 82 to Pottsboro. But in order for it to pass, Commissoner Nichols says Texans need to drum up some local interest.