Let the tolling begin

[degenerate_gambler]

Why can't TxDot just admit they dropped the ball and don't have a clue as to how to run their department.

I don't think they dropped the ball at all. They knew what they are/were doing all along...


tapping into a huge revenue stream.

[Extra Stout]

No it isn't.

Then why is its cost per lane-mile so much higher than, say, the Katy Freeway project?

[johnsmith]

Then why is its cost per lane-mile so much higher than, say, the Katy Freeway project?

Lack of right of way.

It was a big issue on the original plan and since now there is even more stuff around there, it's an even bigger issue. The smaller the area you have to work with, the more money it costs due to time constraints.

[johnsmith]

Then why is its cost per lane-mile so much higher than, say, the Katy Freeway project?

Plus the cost of reinforcing steel, which plays a fairly large part in the budget of a highway of this nature has increased by 20% this year already with another 15% expected by the end of the summer.

That and gas prices as well.

's expensive.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Toll roads have been a notorious scam all over the world for decades. From what I've read, the problem generally arises in the contracts between governments and toll road companies which massively over-inflate returns for the companies over their 30-50 year terms. If they'd build in fixed rates of return, like they have with many public utilities, the public could not be exploited for windfall profits.

[DarkReign]

Shouldn't this go in the Toll Forum?

[johnsmith]

it's funny that txdot's assumption is they can't do something for no profit that private companies are schlobbing all over to get a chance to do and make billions extra

Last I checked TxDot isn't supposed to make profit.............on second thought, I think you are saying something else but I can't figure it out. Clarify please.

[RashoFan]

Frankly, light rail is still a cheaper, cleaner, faster, and more convenient alternative, but you can thank your city council for voting down that one.

Yea, I think the people voted that down years back and not the council. I actually voted for it. Too bad cause it could of come in handy especially now with gas prices.

Davi78239, I beleive you are correct that the public voted the light rail down.
I think it would be fantastic to have a light rail system, used one for over 4 years in San Diego. There could have been alot of potential to expand the rail system to NB, SM and even Austin. I would be drinking, eating and shopping my ass off every weekend because of money saved from driving(and tickets for DUI's, may I never drive drunk, no matter what).

[johnsmith]

Davi78239, I beleive you are correct that the public voted the light rail down.
I think it would be fantastic to have a light rail system, used one for over 4 years in San Diego. There could have been alot of potential to expand the rail system to NB, SM and even Austin. I would be drinking, eating and shopping my ass off every weekend because of money saved from driving(and tickets for DUI's, may I never drive drunk, no matter what).

The vote on that was before I got here so you guys are probably right.

You're also right about the DUI thing, it was fantastic in Denver. The light rail takes you all the way from Littleton (about 30 minutes by car) and drops you off on blake street.......right where the bars are.

Way to be San Antonio!

[RashoFan]

The vote on that was before I got here so you guys are probably right.

You're also right about the DUI thing, it was fantastic in Denver. The light rail takes you all the way from Littleton (about 30 minutes by car) and drops you off on blake street.......right where the bars are.

Way to be San Antonio!

Same In San Diego, I took The Trolley down to TJ and got drunk with my uncle every other weekend . At some of the Trolley stops, cabs would be near by to drive you back to the pier. I only had to worry about making it back into my own bunk when I got back to the ship....
Seriously, the light rail could be useful during Fiesta time. People going into and out of Med Center for appointments/ work. People commuting into downtown...I would take the light rail going into work. And extending the lines out to NB (OktoberFest...),San Marcos( Outlet Mall shopping!!!),Austin... O 6TH STREET!!!! That is my vision..._allas and Houston have rail systems and they are nice....We could use one here in SA!

[johnsmith]

Same In San Diego, I took The Trolley down to TJ and got drunk with my uncle every other weekend . At some of the Trolley stops, cabs would be near by to drive you back to the pier. I only had to worry about making it back into my own bunk when I got back to the ship....
Seriously, the light rail could be useful during Fiesta time. People going into and out of Med Center for appointments/ work. People commuting into downtown...I would take the light rail going into work. And extending the lines out to NB (OktoberFest...),San Marcos( Outlet Mall shopping!!!),Austin... O 6TH STREET!!!! That is my vision..._allas and Houston have rail systems and they are nice....We could use one here in SA!

It would be fantastic but the southsiders would vote it down because of lack of light rail access to street corners that sell candied apples and fruit cups.