The latest Texas Toll Road controversy came into play this week in Austin. Capital Area Metro Planning Organization (CAMPO) held a last-minute meeting to discuss their Transportation Improvement Plan.
In my opinion, major opposition is not with commuter rail lines and other modes of transportation that should help the growing cities along the IH35 corridor (i.e San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas) as part of the All Systems Go Plan.
WHAT'S THE TOLL ROAD CONTROVERSY?
For background, the original purpose of toll roads was to build new roads that were paid through bonds. Once bonds were repaid using the toll money, these new roads were to be released to the community. That said, here are the complaints:
- CAMPO and other state entities are moving forward with tolling existing roads against citizen opposition that ask for different solutions. They have been voting against current plans, but plans have not changed.
- Austin residents are concerned that previous gas tax funds, which were supposed to pay for upkeep and construction of roads, were instead used for pet projects. Now, CAMPO is asking for more funds through the tolls.
- Austin citizens realize that toll roads in Houston were promised to be toll-free once bonds were paid, but are still charged since toll roads are considered cash cows by transportation authorities.
Read more on KVUE. Also read the Daily Texan's Support of CAMPO's Plans: Think outside the car - Opinion.
Capital Metrorail photo provided by Capmetro.org.
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