"Love fest is a darkening nightmare to toll critics. "
Local group takes title to area's own toll lanes
10/28/2005
Patrick Driscoll
San Antonio Express-News
Copyright 2005
CORPUS CHRISTI — Ready or not, San Antonio is officially in the toll-road business.
Alamo Regional Mobility Authority officials wheedled the Texas Transportation Commission on Thursday to get title to their first toll roads.
The commission handed over toll projects planned for Interstate 35, Bandera Road and Wurzbach Parkway and promised to lend the mobility authority up to $7.5 million in gas tax funds to get started.
“We will take this very seriously and do a good job,” authority Chairman Bill Thornton told commissioners.
Just a few months ago, local and state officials were trading barbs over how to be partners with private firms that want to build and operate toll roads. At Thursday's meeting, everybody spoke softly and smiled.
“I'm pleased that we finally have arrived,” Commissioner Hope Andrade said.
Thornton said he was, too.
“Thank you for the way we're being managed in this,” he said.
But the love fest is a darkening nightmare to toll critics.
“It's really unfortunate because the constituency clearly doesn't want toll roads,” said North Side activist Dave Ramos. “It's really a sad day for the taxpayer.”
Pro-toll officials disagree, saying Thursday that people across the state have warmed up to the idea of toll roads.
“It's almost overnight. People have opened their eyes,” commission Chairman Ric Williamson said.
Meanwhile, with three projects, the mobility authority is juggling a larger package of toll roads than those in Austin. But they're a lot further behind.
That's because $439 million in public money and $397 million in potential toll-backed bonds doesn't even cover half of the $2.2 billion construction job, which is supposed to happen over the next 25 years.
No other money is earmarked. And there's no specific timetable.
“We've got to find a way to do that, or build it in stages,” said Tom Griebel, director of the mobility authority.
Plans call for toll lanes to be added to Interstate 35 from downtown to Schertz and on Bandera Road between loops 410 and 1604. Also, a tolled interchange would be built at Wurzbach Parkway and U.S. 281.
The Transportation Commission is expected to approve the $7.5 million loan to kick off the work when it meets next month.
In other action Thursday, commissioners approved a $1 million loan so the mobility authority can help evaluate proposals from private companies that want to take over the city's most profitable toll roads.
The state still controls the proposed 47-mile system that investors are eyeing, though ownership could be passed on to the mobility authority. Toll lanes would be built on Loop 410 and U.S. 281 on the North Side.
Two private consortiums submitted proposals by Thursday's deadline: the Cintra Zachry Partnership and the Macquarie 1604 Partnership.
pdriscoll@express-news.net
San Antonio Express-News: www.mysanantonio.com
10/28/2005
Patrick Driscoll
San Antonio Express-News
Copyright 2005
CORPUS CHRISTI — Ready or not, San Antonio is officially in the toll-road business.
Alamo Regional Mobility Authority officials wheedled the Texas Transportation Commission on Thursday to get title to their first toll roads.
The commission handed over toll projects planned for Interstate 35, Bandera Road and Wurzbach Parkway and promised to lend the mobility authority up to $7.5 million in gas tax funds to get started.
“We will take this very seriously and do a good job,” authority Chairman Bill Thornton told commissioners.
Just a few months ago, local and state officials were trading barbs over how to be partners with private firms that want to build and operate toll roads. At Thursday's meeting, everybody spoke softly and smiled.
“I'm pleased that we finally have arrived,” Commissioner Hope Andrade said.
Thornton said he was, too.
“Thank you for the way we're being managed in this,” he said.
But the love fest is a darkening nightmare to toll critics.
“It's really unfortunate because the constituency clearly doesn't want toll roads,” said North Side activist Dave Ramos. “It's really a sad day for the taxpayer.”
Pro-toll officials disagree, saying Thursday that people across the state have warmed up to the idea of toll roads.
“It's almost overnight. People have opened their eyes,” commission Chairman Ric Williamson said.
Meanwhile, with three projects, the mobility authority is juggling a larger package of toll roads than those in Austin. But they're a lot further behind.
That's because $439 million in public money and $397 million in potential toll-backed bonds doesn't even cover half of the $2.2 billion construction job, which is supposed to happen over the next 25 years.
No other money is earmarked. And there's no specific timetable.
“We've got to find a way to do that, or build it in stages,” said Tom Griebel, director of the mobility authority.
Plans call for toll lanes to be added to Interstate 35 from downtown to Schertz and on Bandera Road between loops 410 and 1604. Also, a tolled interchange would be built at Wurzbach Parkway and U.S. 281.
The Transportation Commission is expected to approve the $7.5 million loan to kick off the work when it meets next month.
In other action Thursday, commissioners approved a $1 million loan so the mobility authority can help evaluate proposals from private companies that want to take over the city's most profitable toll roads.
The state still controls the proposed 47-mile system that investors are eyeing, though ownership could be passed on to the mobility authority. Toll lanes would be built on Loop 410 and U.S. 281 on the North Side.
Two private consortiums submitted proposals by Thursday's deadline: the Cintra Zachry Partnership and the Macquarie 1604 Partnership.
pdriscoll@express-news.net
San Antonio Express-News:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Friday, October 28, 2005
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