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I didn't even know the PA turnpike was making profits. I thought it was having red ink problems, but maybe I was misinformed. One thing's for sure: whatever profits they're making comes from keeping the tolls relatively low (currently at about 6 cents per mile). If the Trans-Texas Corridor administration wants to actually see profits, I think they would be wise to follow the PA Turnpike's example.

They have a PDF somewhere on their web site (state.pa.us); they take in about $400 million per year, spend $50 million on maintenance and $30 million on wages (all those toll collectors making $40K + per year, plus the no doubt unionized maintenance guys), leaving $320 million of CASH which is promptly mis-spent by the thugs in business suits located in Harrisburg.

"If the Trans-Texas Corridor administration wants to actually see profits, I think they would be wise to follow the PA Turnpike's example."

You have to keep in mind that the basic model of a monopoly, as Cintra is about to acquire, is to make the most money - period.

When you have a state-owned toll road like the PA Turnpike, then there's also an incentive for the politicians to keep the prices under some control, and encourage use of the facility (as the toll road lovers like to call their projects).

The point being that high volume and low toll rates can still make some money for a toll road - but low volume and VERY HIGH toll rates make more money. Now with Cintra being given one of the most precious assets of the State of Texas, the right-of-way parallel with I-35, Cintra has no reason to give a damn about how much use their toll road gets, as long as the rates are high enough to maximize profits.