Toll road debate in San Antonio
Toll roads up for discussion at public hearings
03/28/2006
Patrick Driscoll
San Antonio Express-News
Copyright 2006
Residents will get a chance this week to hear warring sides tangle over toll roads and to speak their own minds at two public meetings.
But first up will be a debate sponsored by the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, which officials say is an effort to rein in the rhetoric on toll roads.
"We urge you to base your responses on facts, not histrionics," the debate's ground rules say. "There has already been enough of that."
"Toll Roads: The Great Debate" is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Marriott Plaza Hotel at Alamo and Durango streets. The debate and luncheon cost $40 per person. For information, call (210) 533-1600.
"I hope it helps our chamber make a decision," said Cindy Taylor, the organization's president. "It's very difficult, we're divided."
Four heavy hitters in the tolling controversy will be brought together into two teams.
Arguing for tolls will be Bill Thornton, chairman of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, and Joe Krier, president of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
"What we're presenting is simply an option to accelerate projects, which is tolls, and get some of these needed highway improvements done quicker," Thornton said.
Arguing against tolls will be Terri Hall, founder and director of San Antonio Toll Party, and Bill Barker, a San Antonio transportation consultant.
"My feeling is, we're confident that when people actually get the facts of what's going on, it's not hard to be against these toll roads," Hall said.
Coming later Wednesday and then Thursday, the Texas Department of Transportation will hold public meetings to get input on a re-evaluation of more than seven miles of proposed toll lanes for U.S. 281, from Loop 1604 to Comal County.
Work on the first three miles was supposed to start in January but was derailed by a lawsuit filed by Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas and People for Efficient Transportation. The lawsuit said environmental impacts weren't studied enough.
Both hearings will start at 7 p.m.. Wednesday's will be at the Reagan High School auditorium at 19000 Ronald Reagan; Thursday's will be at the Bush Middle School auditorium at 1500 Evans Road. For information, call (210) 615-5839.
"It provides an opportunity for everyone to share their comments and learn what we're doing," TxDOT spokeswoman Laura Lopez said.
pdriscoll@express-news.net
© 2006 San Antonio Express-News: www.mysanantonio.com
03/28/2006
Patrick Driscoll
San Antonio Express-News
Copyright 2006
Residents will get a chance this week to hear warring sides tangle over toll roads and to speak their own minds at two public meetings.
But first up will be a debate sponsored by the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, which officials say is an effort to rein in the rhetoric on toll roads.
"We urge you to base your responses on facts, not histrionics," the debate's ground rules say. "There has already been enough of that."
"Toll Roads: The Great Debate" is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Marriott Plaza Hotel at Alamo and Durango streets. The debate and luncheon cost $40 per person. For information, call (210) 533-1600.
"I hope it helps our chamber make a decision," said Cindy Taylor, the organization's president. "It's very difficult, we're divided."
Four heavy hitters in the tolling controversy will be brought together into two teams.
Arguing for tolls will be Bill Thornton, chairman of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, and Joe Krier, president of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
"What we're presenting is simply an option to accelerate projects, which is tolls, and get some of these needed highway improvements done quicker," Thornton said.
Arguing against tolls will be Terri Hall, founder and director of San Antonio Toll Party, and Bill Barker, a San Antonio transportation consultant.
"My feeling is, we're confident that when people actually get the facts of what's going on, it's not hard to be against these toll roads," Hall said.
Coming later Wednesday and then Thursday, the Texas Department of Transportation will hold public meetings to get input on a re-evaluation of more than seven miles of proposed toll lanes for U.S. 281, from Loop 1604 to Comal County.
Work on the first three miles was supposed to start in January but was derailed by a lawsuit filed by Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas and People for Efficient Transportation. The lawsuit said environmental impacts weren't studied enough.
Both hearings will start at 7 p.m.. Wednesday's will be at the Reagan High School auditorium at 19000 Ronald Reagan; Thursday's will be at the Bush Middle School auditorium at 1500 Evans Road. For information, call (210) 615-5839.
"It provides an opportunity for everyone to share their comments and learn what we're doing," TxDOT spokeswoman Laura Lopez said.
pdriscoll@express-news.net
© 2006 San Antonio Express-News:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Tuesday, March 28, 2006
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