BIKE: Slusher asks for delay on CAMPO plan

[Roger Baker]

MEMORANDUM

TO:                     CAMPO Transportation Policy Board Members

FROM:                   Council Member Daryl Slusher

DATE:                   April 5, 2005

  SUBJECT:                Timeline for Action on CAMPO 2030 Plan 



  We have heard from several speakers urging a quick vote on the CAMPO 
2030 plan. Very little has been offered, however, in the way of 
explanation as to why this is necessary. Also, most, if not all, of 
those calling for a quick vote are members of the highway lobby or 
industry. While they have every right to their opinion I think it is in 
the public interest to examine this position more closely. In fact, I 
would like to offer a few reasons why I think taking another month for 
deliberation makes sense.

This is a $22 billion plan that will have a profound impact on this 
region for generations to come. The deadline for action is not until 
June. 

  It is admitted by the authors and the strongest backers of the 
proposed plan that congestion will be worse in 2030 than it is now even 
if the plan is completely implemented. So does it not make sense to 
take some extra time to try and improve the plan?

Another reason for further deliberation can be gleaned from looking 
back at the last time this body rushed into an action under pressure. 
That was the approval of the toll road plan last July. As we know, it 
was said at the time that any changes or deletions would cause the 
whole plan to fall apart.

  We now know that such was not the case, because in the months since 
there have been several changes. The largest of those, the deletion of 
the toll at William Cannon and MoPac, was said to be the result of new 
engineering information. The change, however, also happened to coincide 
with immense public outcry.

          
Whichever is the actual case, either argues for more time to consider 
the 25-year plan. If
it was because new engineering information was obtained then that would 
seem to argue that not enough time was taken for consideration in the 
first place - seeing as the new information was that motorists would 
pay a toll to enter a gridlocked freeway. First of all, the William 
Cannon overpass is supposed to improve that situation and while it 
certainly should help, that is another issue. If the new engineering 
information is correct then it begs the question why was that 
"engineering" information not available or understood at the time of 
the July vote - or when TxDOT and CAMPO staff made their 
recommendations to the CAMPO board?

  If the action was taken instead due to public pressure then that also 
argues for taking more time to consider the 2030 plan. The July vote 
set off one of the most divisive eras in local governing and the 
division still continues today. This was after so much progress has 
been made at building coalitions around transportation issues.

The same risks are at hand in the 2030 plan. They may be unavoidable on 
such an immense issue, but more time could lead to more compromise and 
coalition building.

  The opposite approach, just ramming the plan through at the April 
meeting, would just mean approval of a deeply flawed plan that even its 
proponents admit will result in worse congestion.

So I strongly urge that the CAMPO Board engage in discussion of the 
2030 plan at the April meeting, but not vote until May.




  ______________________________________
Tina Bui, Aide
Office of Council Member Daryl Slusher
PO BOX 1088
Austin, TX 78767
phone   512.974.2260
fax     512.974.3212
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/slusher.htm

Please make note of our new address. We have moved to 301 W. 2nd St. We 
are located in between Cesar Chavez and 2nd Street, and in between 
Lavaca and Guadalupe Streets. There is public parking for visitors. To 
access this, you must enter from the Lavaca Street side. Entrances to 
the building are located on both Cesar Chavez and 2nd Street. 
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