North Texas Tollway Authority ratchets up tolls
Southwest Parkway may have highest toll rate in Metroplex
Sep. 15, 2005
By Gordon Dickson
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Copyright 2005
PLANO - Drivers on the future Southwest Parkway may pay 15 cents or more per mile -- about $1.30 from downtown to southwest Fort Worth -- the highest toll rate in the Metroplex.
That rate falls in the middle of two proposals rejected Wednesday by the North Texas Tollway Authority.
"No one can argue that's not fair," said Bill Meadows, who represents Fort Worth on the tollway board.
The 15-cent rate, or perhaps a penny higher, would cover the authority's portion of the $825 million project.
The final rate could be set by year's end.
The board rejected a proposal to charge 19 cents to 25 cents per mile on Southwest Parkway, which would have made it the most expensive toll road in the United States.
A toll road in Orange County, Calif., holds that distinction with a rate of 18.7 cents.
The board also balked at an 11-cent rate, which would have meant that Dallas tolls would subsidize too much of the Tarrant County road.
Board members want a rate that's below the one in Orange County but higher than the average in Dallas.
On Dallas-area toll roads, the average is 10 cents per mile -- an amount that will probably be raised by a penny or more in January 2007.
Among the factors driving up Southwest Parkway's costs are landscaping and fancy bridges. There also may be fewer drivers because a 50-mph speed limit might keep many motorists on the freeways.
Southwest Parkway is projected to open in 2009 or 2010.
A higher toll rate is also likely on the eastern extension of the President George Bush Turnpike from Garland to Sachse and Rowlett, which is scheduled to open in 2010.
In other action Wednesday, the tollway authority learned that Johnson County commissioners adopted a resolution this week requesting full membership in the authority.
Johnson County officials are particularly interested in extending Southwest Parkway to Cleburne.
ONLINE: North Texas Tollway Authority, www.ntta.org
Gordon Dickson, (817) 685-3816 gdickson@star-telegram.com
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: www.dfw.com
Sep. 15, 2005
By Gordon Dickson
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Copyright 2005
PLANO - Drivers on the future Southwest Parkway may pay 15 cents or more per mile -- about $1.30 from downtown to southwest Fort Worth -- the highest toll rate in the Metroplex.
That rate falls in the middle of two proposals rejected Wednesday by the North Texas Tollway Authority.
"No one can argue that's not fair," said Bill Meadows, who represents Fort Worth on the tollway board.
The 15-cent rate, or perhaps a penny higher, would cover the authority's portion of the $825 million project.
The final rate could be set by year's end.
The board rejected a proposal to charge 19 cents to 25 cents per mile on Southwest Parkway, which would have made it the most expensive toll road in the United States.
A toll road in Orange County, Calif., holds that distinction with a rate of 18.7 cents.
The board also balked at an 11-cent rate, which would have meant that Dallas tolls would subsidize too much of the Tarrant County road.
Board members want a rate that's below the one in Orange County but higher than the average in Dallas.
On Dallas-area toll roads, the average is 10 cents per mile -- an amount that will probably be raised by a penny or more in January 2007.
Among the factors driving up Southwest Parkway's costs are landscaping and fancy bridges. There also may be fewer drivers because a 50-mph speed limit might keep many motorists on the freeways.
Southwest Parkway is projected to open in 2009 or 2010.
A higher toll rate is also likely on the eastern extension of the President George Bush Turnpike from Garland to Sachse and Rowlett, which is scheduled to open in 2010.
In other action Wednesday, the tollway authority learned that Johnson County commissioners adopted a resolution this week requesting full membership in the authority.
Johnson County officials are particularly interested in extending Southwest Parkway to Cleburne.
ONLINE: North Texas Tollway Authority, www.ntta.org
Gordon Dickson, (817) 685-3816 gdickson@star-telegram.com
Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Thursday, September 15, 2005
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