Showdown looms between Texas Transportation Commission and NTTA
Tollway authority wants in on 121
Board's proposal would make tolls comparable to others in region
January 31, 2006
By LEE POWELL
The Dallas Morning News
Copyright 2006
PLANO – The North Texas Tollway Authority wants a shot at remaking a Collin County stretch of State Highway 121 by charging tolls comparable to other area toll roads.
The tollway authority's board hastily endorsed a proposal Monday to do just that, providing a first glimpse at its detailed financing plan.
But it has competition. The state highway department is weighing proposals from private partnerships, some with foreign investment. They see the road as rich in revenue potential, fueled by growth and favorable demographics. This could mean higher tolls.
"The value of the road itself is very unique," said North Texas Tollway Authority Executive Director Allan Rutter.
The reason for the project, according to state officials, is simple: Mobility needs outstrip available revenue, leading to toll roads.
The tollway authority's proposal calls for tolls to start at 12 cents a mile, a rate in line with those charged around the region. The project would cost $369 million. The tollway authority would also guarantee payments to the state over time – a minimum of $500 million over 50 years. If revenue falls short, tolls on that road would rise to help cover the payments.
Under the proposal, the state would receive all revenue except that covering project costs. Dollars funneled to state coffers ultimately return to the area, however, and back other transportation projects, officials said. This financing model is a change for the tollway authority: It now plows additional revenue back into its own system.
There was little objection to the proposal from the board.
"To me, it's an unequivocal statement by the tollway authority that we're willing to look at very innovative ways to do roads," said Collin County board member Paul Wageman.
Some of the private entities are thought to be dangling large up-front sums to the state for taking on Highway 121. A more detailed version of the tollway authority's proposal was not immediately made public. At the board meeting, agency officials refused to release a copy of the draft document to The Dallas Morning News, saying it first needed to go to the state and Collin County governing bodies.
Monday's vote set off a round of crucial decisions in coming weeks, culminating with the authority presenting its proposal to the governor-appointed Texas Transportation Commission in February.
A showdown may loom: the state sees Highway 121 as a revenue source but has promised to consider local wishes on its future.
Collin County officials would prefer the project be handled locally by the tollway authority, given its history of operating other stretches like the Dallas North Tollway. But there could be a tussle among tollway authority members on where and how excess revenue from State Highway 121 gets spread.
The haste of Monday's vote upset some authority board members, who only received the draft over the weekend. They begged for more time to understand the details and take them to constituents.
"I'll vote for this, but I'll tell you that from my perspective, I never want to see, and I don't want to vote again, for something where I get the details on a Saturday over the weekend and then am expected Monday morning to vote on it," said board member Alan Sims of Dallas County.
The tollway authority staff said it needed to move with speed to remain in the running for State Highway 121.
Board members then unanimously adopted a resolution allowing the tollway authority to move forward in dealings with the state.
Almost immediately, the tollway authority will seek endorsements of its plan from Collin County as well as Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano.
E-mail lkpowell@dallasnews.com
© 2006 The Dallas Morning News Co www.dallasnews.com
Board's proposal would make tolls comparable to others in region
January 31, 2006
By LEE POWELL
The Dallas Morning News
Copyright 2006
PLANO – The North Texas Tollway Authority wants a shot at remaking a Collin County stretch of State Highway 121 by charging tolls comparable to other area toll roads.
The tollway authority's board hastily endorsed a proposal Monday to do just that, providing a first glimpse at its detailed financing plan.
But it has competition. The state highway department is weighing proposals from private partnerships, some with foreign investment. They see the road as rich in revenue potential, fueled by growth and favorable demographics. This could mean higher tolls.
"The value of the road itself is very unique," said North Texas Tollway Authority Executive Director Allan Rutter.
The reason for the project, according to state officials, is simple: Mobility needs outstrip available revenue, leading to toll roads.
The tollway authority's proposal calls for tolls to start at 12 cents a mile, a rate in line with those charged around the region. The project would cost $369 million. The tollway authority would also guarantee payments to the state over time – a minimum of $500 million over 50 years. If revenue falls short, tolls on that road would rise to help cover the payments.
Under the proposal, the state would receive all revenue except that covering project costs. Dollars funneled to state coffers ultimately return to the area, however, and back other transportation projects, officials said. This financing model is a change for the tollway authority: It now plows additional revenue back into its own system.
There was little objection to the proposal from the board.
"To me, it's an unequivocal statement by the tollway authority that we're willing to look at very innovative ways to do roads," said Collin County board member Paul Wageman.
Some of the private entities are thought to be dangling large up-front sums to the state for taking on Highway 121. A more detailed version of the tollway authority's proposal was not immediately made public. At the board meeting, agency officials refused to release a copy of the draft document to The Dallas Morning News, saying it first needed to go to the state and Collin County governing bodies.
Monday's vote set off a round of crucial decisions in coming weeks, culminating with the authority presenting its proposal to the governor-appointed Texas Transportation Commission in February.
A showdown may loom: the state sees Highway 121 as a revenue source but has promised to consider local wishes on its future.
Collin County officials would prefer the project be handled locally by the tollway authority, given its history of operating other stretches like the Dallas North Tollway. But there could be a tussle among tollway authority members on where and how excess revenue from State Highway 121 gets spread.
The haste of Monday's vote upset some authority board members, who only received the draft over the weekend. They begged for more time to understand the details and take them to constituents.
"I'll vote for this, but I'll tell you that from my perspective, I never want to see, and I don't want to vote again, for something where I get the details on a Saturday over the weekend and then am expected Monday morning to vote on it," said board member Alan Sims of Dallas County.
The tollway authority staff said it needed to move with speed to remain in the running for State Highway 121.
Board members then unanimously adopted a resolution allowing the tollway authority to move forward in dealings with the state.
Almost immediately, the tollway authority will seek endorsements of its plan from Collin County as well as Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano.
E-mail lkpowell@dallasnews.com
© 2006 The Dallas Morning News Co
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Tuesday, January 31, 2006
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