"It's a different sort of animal when you consider a CDA"
SH 121 tolls could be higher than others
Commission will discuss prospective rates again today
March 30, 2006
By Amy Morenz
Plano Star Courier
Copyright 2006
Drivers could spend as 1.9 cents more per mile to use State Highway 121?s prospective toll lanes in 2010 than users of other North Texas Tollway Authority toll roads might pay down the road.
A rate of 14.5 cents per mile was suggested at a workshop last week by North Central Texas Council of Government transportation director Mike Morris, said Collin County Commissioner Jack Hatchell.
No one is sure what the final rate decision will be, said Hatchell.
"We want a reasonable rate, comparable to NTTA rates, to save taxpayers some money," he said. "Our main thing is to get it built in five years."
Setting prospective toll rates will be one question Regional Transportation Council members will consider again today. Members will also discuss the challenging issue of who will build State Highway 121 main lanes and interchanges.
One rate proposal introduced at a workshop last suggested a higher toll rate that could average 1 cent to 5 cents per mile more than the NTTA's proposed 12.6 cents a mile in 2001. Additional rates could be set for peak times.
The RTC is also expected to weigh allowing the NTTA to bid along with private companies that are working through Comprehensive Development Agreements. The RTC, which distributes federal highway funds, delayed a decision in February and is not expected to reach a verdict until April 13.
Forty business leaders told McKinney leaders last week that they just want the road built, said McKinney Mayor Bill Whitfield.
"I'm just praying that there's an end to this that everyone will be satisfied with," he said. "If the bids were equal and the NTTA got the bid, everyone would be happy. Some people say they don't want foreign investors, but we are part of a global economy.
Critics question selecting private companies because some are owned by foreign companies. Bidders include Skansa BOT, Macquarie Infrastructure Group, Texas Toll & Power, Cintra from Madrid, Spain and team of Pioneer Heritage Partners, Transurban Inc. Fluor Enterprises and Parsons Transportation Group.
"It's a different sort of animal when you consider a CDA (private company) that proposes a cash option upfront," said Collin County engineer Ruben Delgado, who participates in an RTC technical committee.
Planners are considering using tolls to pay for main-lane construction and building the interchanges at SH 121 and the Dallas North Tollway and at North Central Expressway. The cost is estimated to be $345 million.
A private company could generate $575 million compared to $515 million over a 50 year period, TxDOT engineer Bill Hale told RTC members last month.
"We are still interested in building and operating the Collin County section of SH 121," said NTTA spokeswoman Donna Huerta.
Collin County initially supported created a local authority to build and manage the toll road, but now supports the NTTA to handle those tasks.
Transportation experts have worked that SH 121 is at a crossroads as it continues to become more congested.
Contact staff writer Amy Morenz at 972-398-4263 or amy.morenz@scntx.com.
© 2006 Star Community Newspapers www.courier-gazette.com
Commission will discuss prospective rates again today
March 30, 2006
By Amy Morenz
Plano Star Courier
Copyright 2006
Drivers could spend as 1.9 cents more per mile to use State Highway 121?s prospective toll lanes in 2010 than users of other North Texas Tollway Authority toll roads might pay down the road.
A rate of 14.5 cents per mile was suggested at a workshop last week by North Central Texas Council of Government transportation director Mike Morris, said Collin County Commissioner Jack Hatchell.
No one is sure what the final rate decision will be, said Hatchell.
"We want a reasonable rate, comparable to NTTA rates, to save taxpayers some money," he said. "Our main thing is to get it built in five years."
Setting prospective toll rates will be one question Regional Transportation Council members will consider again today. Members will also discuss the challenging issue of who will build State Highway 121 main lanes and interchanges.
One rate proposal introduced at a workshop last suggested a higher toll rate that could average 1 cent to 5 cents per mile more than the NTTA's proposed 12.6 cents a mile in 2001. Additional rates could be set for peak times.
The RTC is also expected to weigh allowing the NTTA to bid along with private companies that are working through Comprehensive Development Agreements. The RTC, which distributes federal highway funds, delayed a decision in February and is not expected to reach a verdict until April 13.
Forty business leaders told McKinney leaders last week that they just want the road built, said McKinney Mayor Bill Whitfield.
"I'm just praying that there's an end to this that everyone will be satisfied with," he said. "If the bids were equal and the NTTA got the bid, everyone would be happy. Some people say they don't want foreign investors, but we are part of a global economy.
Critics question selecting private companies because some are owned by foreign companies. Bidders include Skansa BOT, Macquarie Infrastructure Group, Texas Toll & Power, Cintra from Madrid, Spain and team of Pioneer Heritage Partners, Transurban Inc. Fluor Enterprises and Parsons Transportation Group.
"It's a different sort of animal when you consider a CDA (private company) that proposes a cash option upfront," said Collin County engineer Ruben Delgado, who participates in an RTC technical committee.
Planners are considering using tolls to pay for main-lane construction and building the interchanges at SH 121 and the Dallas North Tollway and at North Central Expressway. The cost is estimated to be $345 million.
A private company could generate $575 million compared to $515 million over a 50 year period, TxDOT engineer Bill Hale told RTC members last month.
"We are still interested in building and operating the Collin County section of SH 121," said NTTA spokeswoman Donna Huerta.
Collin County initially supported created a local authority to build and manage the toll road, but now supports the NTTA to handle those tasks.
Transportation experts have worked that SH 121 is at a crossroads as it continues to become more congested.
Contact staff writer Amy Morenz at 972-398-4263 or amy.morenz@scntx.com.
© 2006 Star Community Newspapers
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Thursday, March 30, 2006
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