"This has been rumored for the last two years that Longview will make an attempt to hijack (I-69)," Smith said Monday during an informal meeting, hosted by the Texas Department of Transportation.

More than 150 people attended the meeting to visit with TxDot officials, learn more about the corridor and submit their input.

Smith passed out brochures from the Right Corner I-69 Alliance, which consists of New Boston and Texarkana in Bowie County; Atlanta and Linden in Cass County; Marshall in Harrison County; and Carthage in Panola County. The brochure explains why the Alliance wants construction of the corridor to start at the west leg of I-69, which will pass through their areas.