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It was a "packed house" Tuesday night as Victoria-area residents and property owners turned out in large numbers for the TxDOT town hall. As the Q&A session began at 6:30 p.m., a line of citizens wound out to the parking lot as people signed in to get on the list to ask questions.

More than 1,200 people showed up to ask questions directly to TxDOT officials from the highest level. They also listened closely to the responses to those questions.

Many who spoke to the TxDOT panel voiced their opposition to the Trans-Texas Corridor.

Questioners further covered a wide range of topics including the process of eminent domain, the meaning and importance of property ownership, their concerns about global trade, about the potential for criminals to travel on the state's highways, about the environmental-review process, and about the determination of fair-market value when the state negotiates with property owners for needed land. Others asked about the impact of new or proposed roadways or other transportation facilities on the county-level economies.

[TxDOT photo / Tim Cunningham]