AgreeNewOK, S.MopacIsTaxUpgrade
Yes, unfortunately the articles DO SUGGEST a toll on the new Mopac bridge over William Cannon. I agree with you that new toll roads can have merit - I am not against tolling as a concept/tool to use when it makes sense. There are examples (L.A., Houston, Dallas, Denver, Round Rock?) where it clearly does. Also, true toll financed ''additional capacity'' may be justified. However, I don't think tax-financed road projects should be converted to toll roads. The article & presentation describe exactly that happening to several taxpayer financed road projects, including S. Mopac between 290 & William Canon and Highway 71 from I-35 to Riverside Dr. It appears that TxDOT wants to move to hybrid tax/toll financing of numerous projects (almost all major area roads except I-35, see presentation) and that they plan to include S.W. Austin/Circle C.'s short section of Mopac (currently being upgraded), even though it was taxpayer financed, because they have to start tolling taxpayer funded projects with some project finished at some point in time. Northwest Austin got a reprieve on 183 Freeway out to Cedar Park because people complained. Apparently not enough people here realize what is planned and feel that it should be changed. I hope that people will realize what is going on and make their own informed decision regarding if they approve of it. I personally would like to keep taxpayer roads and toll roads separate, but apparently there is significant support for the new hybrid-finance model. However, people need to be aware of what the consequences will be, in particular a toll on S. Mopac (and eventually on upgrades to most area highways), and voice their opinion regarding if they feel it is appropriate and justified. I think it is particularly inappropriate for this S. Mopac project because of its short length, relatively modest upgrade cost, and because most (all?) residents of this area purchased homes thinking that Mopac would be a freeway and not a partial tollway. Please reply back if you hear/have any other opinions.
Yes, unfortunately the articles DO SUGGEST a toll on the new Mopac bridge over William Cannon. I agree with you that new toll roads can have merit - I am not against tolling as a concept/tool to use when it makes sense. There are examples (L.A., Houston, Dallas, Denver, Round Rock?) where it clearly does. Also, true toll financed ''additional capacity'' may be justified. However, I don't think tax-financed road projects should be converted to toll roads. The article & presentation describe exactly that happening to several taxpayer financed road projects, including S. Mopac between 290 & William Canon and Highway 71 from I-35 to Riverside Dr. It appears that TxDOT wants to move to hybrid tax/toll financing of numerous projects (almost all major area roads except I-35, see presentation) and that they plan to include S.W. Austin/Circle C.'s short section of Mopac (currently being upgraded), even though it was taxpayer financed, because they have to start tolling taxpayer funded projects with some project finished at some point in time. Northwest Austin got a reprieve on 183 Freeway out to Cedar Park because people complained. Apparently not enough people here realize what is planned and feel that it should be changed. I hope that people will realize what is going on and make their own informed decision regarding if they approve of it. I personally would like to keep taxpayer roads and toll roads separate, but apparently there is significant support for the new hybrid-finance model. However, people need to be aware of what the consequences will be, in particular a toll on S. Mopac (and eventually on upgrades to most area highways), and voice their opinion regarding if they feel it is appropriate and justified. I think it is particularly inappropriate for this S. Mopac project because of its short length, relatively modest upgrade cost, and because most (all?) residents of this area purchased homes thinking that Mopac would be a freeway and not a partial tollway. Please reply back if you hear/have any other opinions.
