Efforts by previous governments to link Scotland's cities by road and rail have been criticised.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said that roads had fallen behind other nations in previous decades and hailed his government's commitment to road and rail improvements.
In the Holyrood debate Ex-Liberal Democrat transport minister MSP Tavish Scott said many of these improvements will be just in the central belt and called for a wider focus.
Labour MSP Mark Griffin raised doubts over whether promised improvements to Edinburgh to Glasgow journey times would be met.
Mr Brown said: "Our transport networks are vital to our economy and to bringing together communities across the country."
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