BIKE: Cold Hard Slap Of Reality On Toll Roads

[Mike Dahmus]

Roger uses US 183A as his example of a road which won't make its revenue 
targets.

Folks, was I not clear? The previous 3 toll roads (including US 183A) 
are the ones to worry about, not the most recent batch. From my original 
post:

"Ironically, the three 'old' toll roads (US 183A, SH 45N, and SH 130) 
which supposedly are in much better shape are the three LEAST LIKELY to 
generate enough cars to pay off the bonds -- especially SH 130. (SH 45N 
probably will; US 183A MIGHT but might not, I doubt SH 130 ever will)."

Again, simple and summarized:

1. All of the recent toll roads would have been built as free roads, a 
few years later. There is no way that the current or near-future 
political reality would allow them to simply not be built.

2. Given the fact that they will be built, it is better for central 
Austin that they be built as toll roads than as free roads. Less subsidy 
to suburban sprawl and more direct user payments.

3. There is enough traffic TODAY on the roads in the "new batch" (the 
ones making all the stink) to pay the bills. Anybody who would choose to 
disbelieve this is invited to call me, and I'll drive you out to US 290 
during rush hour, or to US 183 east.

The only thing you can do by aligning yourself with Roger in his 
quixotic crusade against these roads is to make sure they get built as 
FREE ROADS.

- MD