Filmmaker captures toll road opposition

San Antonio Express-News ^ | October 6, 2006 | Patrick Driscoll

[1rudeboy]

Likewise, if you refuse to understand everything I've written so far.

[BobL]

Let's see - you're basically saying that a $200 cash incentive will not be a factor in checking the routing that a truck driver chooses to take - particularly if he has time to kill at the destination.

You may want to look at how much independents make and then reconsider.

[deport]

This is just a development plan, not a contract or agreement.

---

Bingo..... there are no contracts for construct and operation signed at this stage. You can't have a signed contract when the feds and any others that have to sign off prior to construction have done so.

The non compete clause mentioned is going to be in the SH 130 segment 5 & 6 unless they are lying. If lying why make such a statement to the public on their web site?....

What part of the following do you not understand?

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/news/025-2006.htm
TxDOT is currently reviewing comments and input gathered at 54 public hearings this summer along the I-35 corridor. The comments will be addressed in a report to the FHWA, which is expected to determine next summer if studies for TTC-35 will continue to a second phase, or Tier Two level. It is anticipated that it could be four years before a final alignment for TTC-35 could be approved by FHWA.

Work on I-35 continues

“The state’s commitment to expand IH-35 remains intact,” said Behrens. “Everything that TxDOT is working on now and has scheduled over the next 25 years under the traditional gas-tax financed system will continue as planned.”

Widening of the interstate will be costly and alone will not meet future transportation needs. Forty-five percent of all Texans live within 50 miles of I-35 and by 2030, more than 15 million people will live within the corridor. “Congestion on I-35 threatens public safety, the state’s economic vitality and the quality of life for millions of people,” said Behrens.

TxDOT is working to widen a 94-mile segment of I-35 from Georgetown to Hillsboro to a minimum of 3-lanes in each direction. This project will cost $1 billion and will be done in phases using the traditional “pay-as-you go” funding system that depends on fuel taxes. Construction on the final segment is expected to begin in 2011. Although the existing center median will be filled to construct the new single lane in each direction, additional right-of-way will be required for the expansion project, primarily at bridges and interchanges.

[Ben Ficklin]

"Let's put the TTC Plan..........up for a vote.

I have a better idea that I'm sure you will agree with.

Lets have a statewide referendum with 4 transportation packages and the voters will decide which one they want.

The first package would be the TTC as it is.

The second would be revert to pay as you go and raise the gas tax and collect enough money to eventually build the TTC.

The third would be for the state to sell bonds to raise the money to build the roads and have a board/agency oversee everthing. The money to pay off the bonds would be collected by charging a toll on the road.

The fourth would be for the state to sell bonds to raise the money and then build and manage it just like any other road. The money to pay off the bonds would be raised by increasing the gas tax.

If you think that there are others options worthy of the voter's consideration, feel free to add them to the referendum.

[stompk]

"One of the primary contentions against the road is that it will be privately-operated."

this is an area of confusion for me. in Colorado they are converting HOV lanes to toll lanes. If taxes PAID for those lanes, how can they take them away?
also, recently on C-470, a toll road, I noticed state troopers at EVERY overpass. how can state cops patrol a private road ? finally, why would they want to NAZI a road like that. I'm not kidding, I saw at LEAST 15 cop cars on my 20 mile drive. who would want to PAY for a drive like that ??!

[1rudeboy]

I cannot speak for Colorado. My understanding is that, in Texas, no "public" lanes will be converted to "private" use. As a matter of fact, it's not even clear that these non-compete clauses will prevent regular expansion.

In any case, don't fall into the trap of thinking that you "paid" (past tense) for the road, and thus hold some sort of "title" to it . . . in reality, you are "paying" for the road even if you do not use it, and these privately-operated tollroads are an attempt to shift the financial burden away from you onto those that do. Back in the Reagan 80's, this concept was derided by the Left (women and children hardest hit, we are at the mercy of corporate interests, etc.). Now, this concept is derided by the Right for practically the same reasons. Go figure.

[BobL]

I'm cool with all but the first, and providing that the state backs up the bonds on 3&4, so as to not require non-compete clauses. Then we still control our highways.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

bump.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

That agreement appears to apply to the privately-built portion of SH-130. I don't know whether similar exemptions to non-compete clauses will apply to (the rest of) TTC-35.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

People moan and groan about corporate greed, but government greed seems to be the winner here.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I'm not sure that having the state in charge of the toll roads will prevent non-compete clauses. Sections 1 through 4 of SH-130 will be state-run, and I believe I read something to the effect that these sections do have a non-compete clause.

[Ben Ficklin]

The point was to demonstrate that holding TTC 35 up alone for scrutiny is not valid. This, of course, takes us back to the problem that no one has offered an alternative. Unless you count Grandma's suggestion about double decking and sending all the trucks up around thru Midland.

[Ben Ficklin]

I can't say with certainty, but it would be highly probable that the buffer zone would be the same. There is a reason that the band of possible roadway is located that far away.

[wolfcreek]

said he tried to interview officials with several agencies as well as elected leaders who favor tolls.


None agreed, he said.



Hell No, they didn't! Tollroads are No different than any other tax. You just get to pay it in person.

[wolfcreek]

Why are we always so fast to fall for the old "to build more roads, we have to raise taxes" routine



That's the question of the year! We don't have to accept anything. This is OUR state and if We have control of OUR elected officials, like it was meant to be, OUR money would be spent more wisely.

[wolfcreek]

You wouldn't be 'friends' with that Foley guy, would you?


YOU GO, BOB! Thanks for arguing with the WALL so, I don't have to!

[wolfcreek]

If they want to solve traffic congestion, especially in San Antonio, they should deport all 12-20 million illegals.


I hear that! We took a trip, via SA, to the coast this weekend. We pasted many groups of Mexican citizens, dragging another vehicle, south towards the border, at 55 mph.