Routes to be included in and developed as a part of the Texas Highway Trunk System shall be chosen by the commission as recommended by the executive director based on one or more of the criteria set out in this section. To be included in the Texas Highway Trunk System the commission will give consideration to routes:     
       (1) maximizing the use of existing four-lane divided roadways;      
       (2) minimizing circuitous or indirect routing;      
       (3) connecting with principal roadways from adjacent states;      
       (4) connecting with principal deep water ports with channel depths of 40 feet or more;      
       (5) connecting with principal Mexican ports of entry;      
       (6) serving significant military or other national security installations;      
       (7) serving tourism or recreational areas;      
       (8) comprising major truck routes;      
       (9) which are within 25 miles or less of cities of 10,000 population or greater;      
       (10) closing gaps in the existing state highway system; and      
       (11) providing system connectivity.      
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §16.56 adopted to be effective January 1, 2011, 35 TexReg 8388