"This decision is a Robin Hood plan for highways that will not require other cities to contribute."
SH 121 toll rates will be higher
McKinney Courier Gazette
Copyright 2006
Collin County's representatives on the Regional Transportation Council were divided on Thursday, when the agency easily approved average rate of 14.5 cents per mile for prospective toll lanes on State Highway 121.
The toll rate approved is 2.5 cents higher than North Texas Tollway Authority proposal and calls for a rate of 17 cents per mile during peak hours.
While McKinney Mayor Bill Whitfield endorsed the plan, Plano Councilman Scott Johnson and Collin County Commissioner Jack Hatchell were the only two votes against the measure among the 40-member council.
Hatchell warned Plano City Council members on Monday that he wouldn't have the votes for a lower toll rate and wanted a delay. But didn't have a chance to request the move during Thursday's meeting in Arlington.
The meeting involved long explanations about the four proposals for the toll road, but very little debate. Only a few questions were allowed before members asked for a vote, fearing they might lose a quorum. Members easily endorsed the plan after just a few questions.
"We need to move this down the road and get to a competitive process," said Duncanville Councilman Grady Smithey
NTTA vice chair Jack Miller asked to talk, but wasn't recognized during the initial discussions.
"We want to be part of the solution," Miller said later. "We have a decision to make and don't know what we will do."
Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson immediately conducted a news conference after the decision, saying drivers would pay an estimated $1,000 a year in additional "taxes" to use the SH 121 toll road.
"The cost of going to work will be tremendous. We've spent a year and a half trying to get an agreement on the toll concept, and most were concerned about the effective rate," Simpson said. "I'm not sure this is an effective rate."
The RTC's survey of 958 people showed Frisco drivers preferred a toll of 12 cents per mile and wanted the NTTA to build it. Meanwhile, McKinney respondents preferred 15 cents a mile and using a Comprehensive Development Agreement that would enable a private company to vie for the work, said Mike Morris, transportation director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. That organization organizes the RTC, which in turn distributes federal funding.
Allen, Plano, McKinney, Frisco and the county approved a resolution supporting the NTTA as the builder of the toll road. The four cities and Collin County wanted a lower rate than that approved on Thursday. Just last week, Frisco dropped its support of the county-wide because of questions about negotiations.
"This decision is a Robin Hood plan for highways that will not require other cities to contribute," said Johnson.
The NTTA may not be able to effectively compete with private companies expected to provide extensive funding in advance, said Allen City Manager Peter Vargas. He plans to brief Allen council members to determine their next step.
"They will have to borrow money to build and then for the upfront money," Vargas said.
The tolls would pay for building and operation of SH 121 main lanes and constructing interchanges at North Central Expressway and the Dallas North Tollway.
A typical eight-mile one-way trip would cost $1 at a rate of 12 cents a mile, $1.16 at 14.5 cents and $1.36 at 17 cents, said Morris. The RTC's staff members suggested a higher toll rate for peak times to help tackle air quality issues and encourage car pooling, he said.
The RTC dropped one proposal that would have required it to pay for bonds if bond obligations were not met.
"I thought the advantage of a CDA was that they had all the risk," Johnson said.
The final plan calls for toll revenues that exceed costs to be allocated to the county in which drivers live. Denton County's proceeds are allocated through a "near neighbor/near term" approach that provides funding to specific projects in that county. Denton County approved its SH 121 tolls before the current debate.
The RTC has been analyzing a funding crisis that includes $16.2 billion to improve capacity requirements and $31.4 billion for road rehabilitation for months.
State transportation officials have been leaning toward a private developer to sign a Comprehensive Development Agreement because of proposals to provide upfront money and additional revenues to finance other road projects. State gas tax dollars to don't provide enough money to build and maintain Texas roads, Texas Department of Transportation officials have repeated.
Private companies are expected to detail their plans later this year, said Morris.
The plan approved on Thursday calls for local governments to participate and monitor any Comprehensive Development Agreement the state forges. Those agreements are not expected to be finalized until later this year.
A full house of officials from Collin County was on hand for the vote, including Commissioner Jerry Hoagland and County Judge-elect Keith Self.
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, April 13, 2006
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