Dallas County leaders are upset with the way the Tollway Authority wants to bankroll a toll road in Fort Worth
Dallas Doesn't Want To Pay For Fort Worth Toll
Jann 16, 2006
Jack Fink Reporting
CBS 11 News
Copyright 2006
(DALLAS) Dallas County is considering dropping out of the North Texas Tollway Authority. Tuesday commissioners will meet privately with lawyers to mull over legal options. They're upset with the way the Tollway Authority wants to bankroll a toll road in Fort Worth.
As CBS 11 News reported last month, Dallas County hired a law firm just hours after the Tollway Authority's vote.
While Dallas County reviews its legal options at least one Collin County Commissioner is voicing his concerns.
Dallas County leaders are upset because they believe Tarrant County could be getting more than it deserves. They’re opposed to the idea that drivers who use the North Dallas Tollway and the George Bush Turnpike will have to subsidize the Southwest Parkway in Fort Worth.
Tuesday morning Dallas County Commissioners will meet privately with a law firm to see if it's possible to drop out of the Tollway Authority.
"We'll be looking at the by-laws of the NTTA. We'll be looking at what we can do under statute and at what our options are in the next legislative session," said Judge Margaret Keliher, Dallas County Commissioners Court.
Last month, the Tollway Authority board voted to spread out the cost of the Fort Worth toll road.
Dallas and Collin Counties hoped Southwest Parkway drivers would pay a greater share since it'll be their road.
Tollway Authority's board chairman Dave Blair declined an interview, but issued a statement that said, “Any action at this time would be premature because we are about to embark on a strategic planning process that will, in part, better position us to meet challenges."
Those challenges include competition among private firms to build toll roads.
A Collin County Commissioner wants to reconsider the county's plan to have the Tollway Authority build and operate the new Highway 121 toll road between Central Expressway and the North Dallas Tollway.
"I don't think it's a good thing for us to do because our citizens are going to take the brunt of the carrying of the toll road over in Tarrant County," said Commissioner Jerry Hoagland.
Instead, Hoagland wants a private firm to build the Highway 121 toll road and the Tollway Authority would only operate it.
Four companies have placed bids and the state will pick the winner.
When contacted by CBS 11 News a Fort Worth Assistant City Manager declined to comment about Dallas County's legal review.
As for the Tollway Authority the board has a strategic planning workshop this Wednesday to set the course for future goals.
(CBS 11 News)
© 2006 CBS Stations Group of Texas cbs11tv.com
Jann 16, 2006
Jack Fink Reporting
CBS 11 News
Copyright 2006
(DALLAS) Dallas County is considering dropping out of the North Texas Tollway Authority. Tuesday commissioners will meet privately with lawyers to mull over legal options. They're upset with the way the Tollway Authority wants to bankroll a toll road in Fort Worth.
As CBS 11 News reported last month, Dallas County hired a law firm just hours after the Tollway Authority's vote.
While Dallas County reviews its legal options at least one Collin County Commissioner is voicing his concerns.
Dallas County leaders are upset because they believe Tarrant County could be getting more than it deserves. They’re opposed to the idea that drivers who use the North Dallas Tollway and the George Bush Turnpike will have to subsidize the Southwest Parkway in Fort Worth.
Tuesday morning Dallas County Commissioners will meet privately with a law firm to see if it's possible to drop out of the Tollway Authority.
"We'll be looking at the by-laws of the NTTA. We'll be looking at what we can do under statute and at what our options are in the next legislative session," said Judge Margaret Keliher, Dallas County Commissioners Court.
Last month, the Tollway Authority board voted to spread out the cost of the Fort Worth toll road.
Dallas and Collin Counties hoped Southwest Parkway drivers would pay a greater share since it'll be their road.
Tollway Authority's board chairman Dave Blair declined an interview, but issued a statement that said, “Any action at this time would be premature because we are about to embark on a strategic planning process that will, in part, better position us to meet challenges."
Those challenges include competition among private firms to build toll roads.
A Collin County Commissioner wants to reconsider the county's plan to have the Tollway Authority build and operate the new Highway 121 toll road between Central Expressway and the North Dallas Tollway.
"I don't think it's a good thing for us to do because our citizens are going to take the brunt of the carrying of the toll road over in Tarrant County," said Commissioner Jerry Hoagland.
Instead, Hoagland wants a private firm to build the Highway 121 toll road and the Tollway Authority would only operate it.
Four companies have placed bids and the state will pick the winner.
When contacted by CBS 11 News a Fort Worth Assistant City Manager declined to comment about Dallas County's legal review.
As for the Tollway Authority the board has a strategic planning workshop this Wednesday to set the course for future goals.
(CBS 11 News)
© 2006 CBS Stations Group of Texas
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Tuesday, January 17, 2006
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