The impression I got from the one time I heard one of the TxDOT apologists, a Mr. Casteel, is that the toll road idea is pushed by Williamson.
We're only "stuck" the one section that's in the works, now. The environmental impact statements aren't done for the rest. Supposedly, there's still no set route.
We don't need permanent, ever expanding toll roads. What we need are what we've paid for with our gas taxes. If they'd stop the endless remodeling and going from 4 to 8 to 6 lanes, I'm convinced traffic would be smoother and safer. And **why** didn't they put an HOV in Austin during this last remodel? The space appears to be there, but it's a huge median.
Then, we get to pay for seeding and re-seeding with each remodel of each over pass. And the fancy painting and decorations. Do it once at the end, for pity's sake and leave the concrete bare!
Do y'all believe this:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/news/028-2006.htm
Here's the FAQ
http://www.keeptexasmoving.org/faqs/myth_vs_reality.aspx