Toll revenue makes local leaders salivate
Private firm will likely build SH 121
March 31, 2006
By Amy Morenz
Plano Star-Courier
Copyright 2006
A private company willing to pay upfront construction costs will probably be selected to build State Highway 121 toll lanes, Collin County Commissioner Jack Hatchell said on Thursday.
He made the statement based on Thursday’s Regional Transportation Council workshop. Plano City Councilman Scott Johnson, who also attended the meeting, agreed with Hatchell’s assessment.
The RTC, which distributes federal highway funds, delayed a decision in February and is not expected to reach a verdict until April 13.
A private company could generate $575 million in toll revenue, compared to the North Texas Tollway Authority’s $515 million over a 50-year period, TxDOT engineer Bill Hale told RTC members last month.
Since then, North Central Texas Council of Government transportation director Mike Morris suggested a 14.5-cent-per-mile toll. The suggested rate is based on prices set by other toll authorities.
The NTTA estimates its cost would be 12.6 cents a mile in 2010. RTC members are not expected to reach a rate decision until they analyze inflation estimates and public surveys, Hatchell said.
“The private company is preferred by more of the members because of the upfront payment potential,” Johnson said. “The North Texas Tollway Authority cannot produce that much of an upfront payment.”
Planners are considering using tolls to pay for main-lane construction and interchanges at the Dallas North Tollway and at North Central Expressway. The cost is estimated to be $345 million.
Collin County has fought hard for its preferred solution of having the NTTA, which controls the Dallas North Tollway and President George Bush Turnpike, build and manage SH 121 main lanes. The prospective project would link to two of the NTTA’s two major corridors.
In the newest plan, toll revenues could be distributed to drivers’ home cities, said Johnson.
“That’s a very new concept that we have conceptually agreed to,” Johnson said. “This bridges the great divide of money for the area that is immediately affected. It would help meld things.”
In earlier RTC meetings, Collin County faced intense questioning when it recommended keeping SH 121 tolls within the county’s borders. Thursday’s meeting was more cordial, as panel members gained a better understanding of options being explored, Johnson said.
The NTTA could be selected to manage a toll road built by a private company, Johnson said.
Contact staff writer Amy Morenz at 972-398-4263 or amy.morenz@sctnx.com.
© 2006 Star Community Newspapers www.courier-gazette.com
March 31, 2006
By Amy Morenz
Plano Star-Courier
Copyright 2006
A private company willing to pay upfront construction costs will probably be selected to build State Highway 121 toll lanes, Collin County Commissioner Jack Hatchell said on Thursday.
He made the statement based on Thursday’s Regional Transportation Council workshop. Plano City Councilman Scott Johnson, who also attended the meeting, agreed with Hatchell’s assessment.
The RTC, which distributes federal highway funds, delayed a decision in February and is not expected to reach a verdict until April 13.
A private company could generate $575 million in toll revenue, compared to the North Texas Tollway Authority’s $515 million over a 50-year period, TxDOT engineer Bill Hale told RTC members last month.
Since then, North Central Texas Council of Government transportation director Mike Morris suggested a 14.5-cent-per-mile toll. The suggested rate is based on prices set by other toll authorities.
The NTTA estimates its cost would be 12.6 cents a mile in 2010. RTC members are not expected to reach a rate decision until they analyze inflation estimates and public surveys, Hatchell said.
“The private company is preferred by more of the members because of the upfront payment potential,” Johnson said. “The North Texas Tollway Authority cannot produce that much of an upfront payment.”
Planners are considering using tolls to pay for main-lane construction and interchanges at the Dallas North Tollway and at North Central Expressway. The cost is estimated to be $345 million.
Collin County has fought hard for its preferred solution of having the NTTA, which controls the Dallas North Tollway and President George Bush Turnpike, build and manage SH 121 main lanes. The prospective project would link to two of the NTTA’s two major corridors.
In the newest plan, toll revenues could be distributed to drivers’ home cities, said Johnson.
“That’s a very new concept that we have conceptually agreed to,” Johnson said. “This bridges the great divide of money for the area that is immediately affected. It would help meld things.”
In earlier RTC meetings, Collin County faced intense questioning when it recommended keeping SH 121 tolls within the county’s borders. Thursday’s meeting was more cordial, as panel members gained a better understanding of options being explored, Johnson said.
The NTTA could be selected to manage a toll road built by a private company, Johnson said.
Contact staff writer Amy Morenz at 972-398-4263 or amy.morenz@sctnx.com.
© 2006 Star Community Newspapers
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Friday, March 31, 2006
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