A tax by any other name...
Hwy. 42 work is moved up
By BRENDA ALLUMS
Kilgore News-Herald
Copyright 2006
The upgrade of Texas Hwy. 42 is a twopart project, according to Jeff Austin III.
Austin, head of the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA), said widening the highway is one project that will eventually play a role in the Texas Hourglass Project, a part of the regional highway system.
“The Hwy. 42 project is on our radar screen,” Austin said.
However, other work planned for Hwy. 42 hits closer to home.
The NET RMA is working with the Longview Metropolitan Planning Organization to find ways to assist funding the Hwy. 42 project from U.S. Hwy. 80 to I-20.
Karen Owen, senior transportation planner for the city of Longview and MPO director, said the city has earmarked $15 million for work on Hwy. 42 between U.S. 80 and I-20.
“The MPO has $15 million for the project, but the RMA is looking for ways to help us obtain more funding,” she said. “I can’t address the work (on Hwy 42) south of I-20, because it’s out of my planning area.”
Austin said the NET RMA wants to assist with finding funding for the Hwy. 42 project between White Oak and Kilgore.
“We hope we can help by coming up with some pass through financing options,” Austin said. “One way is to help them issue bonds.”
Austin said this “pass through toll” financing is “a method use to get the road built faster.”
Although described as a “toll,” drivers on this road would not pay a fee for use.
“This is not a cash toll road,” Austin said. “Money for the project comes from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and is based on road usage.” Austin said with NET RMA involvement, the Hwy. 42 project “will have greater visibility and be able to gain traction in finding financing.”
TxDOT is doing the preliminary work on another part of the project, termed the Richey Road Expansion, Austin said.
“The importance of this portion of the project is that it will eventually connect with the regional highway (Texas Hourglass Project),” Owen said.
© 2006 Kilgore News-Herald www.kilgorenewsherald.com
By BRENDA ALLUMS
Kilgore News-Herald
Copyright 2006
The upgrade of Texas Hwy. 42 is a twopart project, according to Jeff Austin III.
Austin, head of the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA), said widening the highway is one project that will eventually play a role in the Texas Hourglass Project, a part of the regional highway system.
“The Hwy. 42 project is on our radar screen,” Austin said.
However, other work planned for Hwy. 42 hits closer to home.
The NET RMA is working with the Longview Metropolitan Planning Organization to find ways to assist funding the Hwy. 42 project from U.S. Hwy. 80 to I-20.
Karen Owen, senior transportation planner for the city of Longview and MPO director, said the city has earmarked $15 million for work on Hwy. 42 between U.S. 80 and I-20.
“The MPO has $15 million for the project, but the RMA is looking for ways to help us obtain more funding,” she said. “I can’t address the work (on Hwy 42) south of I-20, because it’s out of my planning area.”
Austin said the NET RMA wants to assist with finding funding for the Hwy. 42 project between White Oak and Kilgore.
“We hope we can help by coming up with some pass through financing options,” Austin said. “One way is to help them issue bonds.”
Austin said this “pass through toll” financing is “a method use to get the road built faster.”
Although described as a “toll,” drivers on this road would not pay a fee for use.
“This is not a cash toll road,” Austin said. “Money for the project comes from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and is based on road usage.” Austin said with NET RMA involvement, the Hwy. 42 project “will have greater visibility and be able to gain traction in finding financing.”
TxDOT is doing the preliminary work on another part of the project, termed the Richey Road Expansion, Austin said.
“The importance of this portion of the project is that it will eventually connect with the regional highway (Texas Hourglass Project),” Owen said.
© 2006 Kilgore News-Herald
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Friday, February 17, 2006
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