Posted on 02/08/2007 3:04:03 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
Sign me up. I am all for the TTC. Drive I35 from San Antonio to Dallas and back and you will be all for it too.
IOW, do you need the full-blown TTC -- or do you just need a good (and toll-free) car trip from SA to D-FW?
Thanks, TSR!
An if the round trip costs you $80.00?
TXDOT got slapped for showing up with "consultants to promote TCC" in their budget. It is getting good now.
You can't add a lane without shutting one down.
I know from experience since I frequent I45. The I45 expansion started over fifteen years ago and it will take over twenty five more years to complete. That will be pushing my children life span.
I pay a lot more than that per mile on the Houston toll roads now. What are we talking about? $5.00 from San Antonio to Austin. $10.00 From Austin to Waco or Waco to Dallas. For a fast safe ride, you bet I would.
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT
At .15 cents per mile, the round trip from Houston to SA would be 60.00.
Cost from San Antonio to Dallas and back would be $82.00
82.00 bucks that would not be spent in Dallas. Too much.
Your contention that it somehow reduce traffic is completely unfounded.
"Sign me up. I am all for the TTC."
Have you studied any of the other effects of the TTC or are you just happy to have a another freeway from Dallas to SA?
You're on.
Well, in their master plan (1st Edition) Cintra-Zachry is figuring on starting out the toll rates at 15.2 cents/mile for cars and 58.5 cents/mile for trucks. Just something to think about.
You're welcome.
bump.
OK, let's look at several examples. On a typical highway most drivers use only a portion in literally thousand of different start and endpoints, so I'll give some common ones. Since they moved the route of TTC-35 on the DFW end (in response to feedback from local govt's and the public in the hearing process, so much for the anti-TTC lies about not responding to public comment) most users will get on the TTC around Venus, coming from the Dallas area on US 67, which is what I'll use for the northern end. Many from Ft. Worth will enter around Mansfield from US 287, about 6 miles north, so add $1 to the cost for them. Others would get on at I-20/360, which is almost 11 miles further north, so for them add another $1.65 (that assumes that the future mainlanes of 360 south of I-20 will be built as toll lanes, north of there it is already freeway.)
On the TTC, Venus-the outlet shops at Hillsboro is 25 miles, so $3.75 ($6.40 from I-20.) Double if a round-trip, though many may choose to use the free roads in one direction if they are traveling at an off-peak time.
Venus-Waco exit (TX 30) is 87 miles, so $8.55 (to $11.20.)
Venus-Temple/Killeen/Ft. Hood exit (US 190) is 132 miles, so $19.80 (to $22.45.)
Venus-Georgetown exit is 158 miles, $23.70 ($26.35.)
Venus-Round Rock exit is 174 miles, $26.10 ($28.75.)
Venus-US 290/US183 interchange (where the 290 mainlanes that are already built begin, 6 miles from the state capitol complex) is 189 miles, $28.35 ($31.00.)
So at the $.15 per mile rate, going from DFW to the capitol is about $30 one-way. That may seem high to the average Joe, but there are plenty of lobbyists, local officials, businessmen, etc. who would gladly expense account it, a lot cheaper for the business/gov't entity then an airline ticket. Especially considering that with a speed limit of 85 mph it would be about a 3 hour or so trip, competitive door to door with air travel. Cheaper than a hotel room for those with morning meetings.
For those headede to San Marcos, the tourist areas around New Braunfels, and San Antonio that just want to loop around Austin, it is 218 miles, $32.70 ($35.35.)
All the way from DFW to I-10 east of San Antonio (where the TTC will end for the first 10-15 years) is about 250 miles, $37.50 (to $40.15.)
Plus all the users from Waco, Temple, north Austin, Austin, south Austin, New Braunfels, and various areas of San Antonio and all the combinations of trips they can make. Most of the trips under $40 (really under $30.) When you think of all the business travel that will expense account it, and the speed factor making it competitive and cheaper than airfare and avoiding some hotel stays, Cintra's projected use at even $.15 per mile may indeed be realistic.
My only contention is this: I35 is extremely over crowded and the projection is gridlock. The TTC is the only plan I have heard that offers a reasonable solution. What is yours?
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