The Sterling Stage, 6134 E. Hwy. 290
The Public Is Not Clamoring for New Roads
RECEIVED Tue., Feb. 28, 2006
Dear Editor,
I disagree with certain of Louis Black's recent conclusions on toll roads [“Page Two,” Feb. 24].
First, I disagree that the public is clamoring for new roads, other than projects intended to solve local, specific problems. If one goes to road hearings, those speaking most forcefully in favor of new highways are usually special interests that benefit from such roads, including road contractors, their engineering firms, real estate developers, chambers of commerce, and lobby groups. The politicians tend to favor such interests to get campaign money.
In Texas, road deals are guided by special-interest politics, centered around TxDOT and the road lobby. The biggest road contractors have given Gov. Rick Perry more than a million dollars. Perry appointed the TxDOT commissioners who endorsed his $185 billion Trans-Texas Corridor, despite a glaring lack of funds.
When there is insufficient money to build free roads, the easy way out is to issue bonded debt to build toll roads. There are two kinds of toll roads being planned and built. The first approach is to toll existing roads like 183, 290 W., and Loop 360, which generates strong public opposition. This approach generates reliable revenue, however, since existing suburban residents are trapped. The CTRMA, operating closely with TxDOT, has planned to use such revenue as collateral to help borrow the money to fund riskier “new start” toll roads like SH 130 and 183A, largely intended to serve future suburban sprawl.
These plans will come undone as fuel prices continue to soar in years to come, since the world is close to a peak in oil production. Driving behavior will change radically when the price of gasoline exceeds about $6 a gallon. The long-range toll-road bonds will then default, with serious effects on our municipal bond credit rating for this area.
I disagree with certain of Louis Black's recent conclusions on toll roads [“Page Two,” Feb. 24].
First, I disagree that the public is clamoring for new roads, other than projects intended to solve local, specific problems. If one goes to road hearings, those speaking most forcefully in favor of new highways are usually special interests that benefit from such roads, including road contractors, their engineering firms, real estate developers, chambers of commerce, and lobby groups. The politicians tend to favor such interests to get campaign money.
In Texas, road deals are guided by special-interest politics, centered around TxDOT and the road lobby. The biggest road contractors have given Gov. Rick Perry more than a million dollars. Perry appointed the TxDOT commissioners who endorsed his $185 billion Trans-Texas Corridor, despite a glaring lack of funds.
When there is insufficient money to build free roads, the easy way out is to issue bonded debt to build toll roads. There are two kinds of toll roads being planned and built. The first approach is to toll existing roads like 183, 290 W., and Loop 360, which generates strong public opposition. This approach generates reliable revenue, however, since existing suburban residents are trapped. The CTRMA, operating closely with TxDOT, has planned to use such revenue as collateral to help borrow the money to fund riskier “new start” toll roads like SH 130 and 183A, largely intended to serve future suburban sprawl.
These plans will come undone as fuel prices continue to soar in years to come, since the world is close to a peak in oil production. Driving behavior will change radically when the price of gasoline exceeds about $6 a gallon. The long-range toll-road bonds will then default, with serious effects on our municipal bond credit rating for this area.
Roger Baker
