Yeah, we voted on tolls — kinda

Austin American-Statesman ^ | October 16, 2006 | Ben Wear

[Paleo Conservative]

Zachery (sp?)(a SA based company) is currently building 183-A, ahead of schedule and under budget. I realize there will be some interaction between them and Cintas but, that foreign component doesn't set well with most Texans.

Zachry has lots of experience building interstate type highways, but I think they wanted to not have to take on the whole risk of the project by themselves. This is a huge project. Lots of buisinesses take on partners to spread risk. It's done in the oil and gas business all the time. Cintra also has experience running toll roads which I don't think Zachry has.

[ravingnutter]

Dan? Who the hell is Dan? When you accuse me, I would suggest in the future you read my previous posts. Wrong gender, bucko, therefore wrong name...and I don't belong to any group. In fact, I just decided who I was going to vote for this week...I already knew who I was going to vote against. Now...what group do you belong to?

[Dead Corpse]

So, if all of our roadways will be paid for by tolls, when do the gas and registration taxes get rolled back?

[ravingnutter]

So, if all of our roadways will be paid for by tolls, when do the gas and registration taxes get rolled back?

Surely you jest...and I know...don't call you Shirley.

[Ben Ficklin]

The gas tax that you pay will continue to be used as it is being used now. It will definately be raised because there will be new roads built, the existing roads will get older, and there will be more cars using them, meaning higher maintanance costs. Additionally, as cars get better and better milage, the gas tax collected shrinks.

[Ben Ficklin]

You said there were no competitors. I proved you wrong.

[Dead Corpse]

It will definately be raised because there will be new roads built, the existing roads will get older, and there will be more cars using them, meaning higher maintanance costs.

And more people paying the gas tax as well. But don't let that slow you down.

So, now we have the gas tax AND a toll rate that is 4 times what other States have theirs set at?

[Ben Ficklin]

I'm sure you think that "they" are out to cheat you.

Me, I think you want a free ride that someone else will have to pay for.

If you think that there is opposition to the toll road, try raising the gas tax to pay for these new roads and you will see real opposition.

There are only two options, a PPP toll road or a public sector toll road.

[ravingnutter]

Sorry but the ink is already dry on the contract with Cintra...don't try to pull the wool over my eyes.

[Dead Corpse]

Me, I think you want a free ride that someone else will have to pay for.

Wrong. But thanks for playing. I've quite clearly stated that I would PREFER toll roads, but NOT BOTH toll roads and the current taxes.

If you've got problems with that, then tough cookies. Don't be an asshat.

[Radix]

Looks as if the Texas politicians have learned a few tricks from their Massachusetts counterparts.

It is that old Austin to Boston Connection.

There is more where that came from.

[Ben Ficklin]

More mis-info. Cintra is the apparent winner, but they don't have a contract yet. You should hope that they do get the contract because Cintra is the most qualified.

[wolfcreek]

There aren't any American companies responsible enough to run a toll road? Most of the money collected from these tolls will not be spent in America. Where's the logic?

[Ben Ficklin]

You are paying for the Big Dig, whether you use it or not. Unless you ride on it, you won't have to pay for the TTC.

[Ben Ficklin]

Stay off the toll road and all you will have to pay is the gas tax. Pretty good deal.

[Radix]

The Massachusetts Turnpike was paid off several years ago.

The hacks at the Turnpike Authority went ahead and borrowed more money for infrastructure and whatever even though the Turnpike was debt free.


They effectively put themselves on the Authority into guaranteed for life jobs. There was no justification for the borrowing of more dough other than to keep the hackerama going.

Later, the Authority became the overseers of the "Big Dig" and we all know how that turned out.

The recently solvent Massachusetts Turnpike is now in the red for TWO BILLION dollars.

That is the sort of thing that you can look forward to.

Toll increases, and more tolls on previously built roads. Forever.

[Ben Ficklin]

Pay to play. Or stay off

[ravingnutter]

Riiiight, like I believe that. And you never did answer...what group are you with?

[Diddle E. Squat]

If they would quit looting state highway funds such as the 1 BILLION that was diverted last year alone (with reports of 10 Billion in all) there wouldn't be a shortage of funds. And private investors? Give me a break...this is a FOREIGN company. And what about the Perry aide, Dan Shelley, who worked for Cintra, went to the Governor's office, then went back to work for Cintra while the deal was being made? And why wouldn't Perry release the contract to the public previously? Shady deals one and all. Perry needs more than good hair to slick-talk this little lady.

I agree that 1/3rd of the gas tax shouldn't be diverted to education, but that diversion was put in place more than a decade ago and even if it were removed there would still be a major funding shortfall between gas tax receipts and needed road projects. Some roads are facing a 15+ year wait for funds under the traditional system.

Yes, private companies, any can bid, it just so happens that a consortium with a Spanish firm as one of the partners (along with an American firm Zachry, out of San Antonio) had the highest bid. Cadbury Schweppes and Nestle are foreign-owned firms, should we boycott chewing gum and chocolate? What are you afraid of, that Cintra will pick up the road and move it to Spain?

Did you know that Dick Cheney used to work for Halliburton? SCANDAL!

The contract has been made public and there was nothing nefarious in it, so much for that scare tactic, except for fooling some of the people who aren't aware of the facts.

[ravingnutter]

The gig is up dude. We all know the score, that company had it from the word go.