"Citizens would like to have some options offered to them, and not the idea that this is a done deal."
Toll lane opponents call for alternatives at public meeting
6/28/2006
Patrick Driscoll
San Antonio Express-News
Copyright 2006
North Side residents on Tuesday pleaded with state officials, threatened a backlash at the ballot box, asked for alternatives and even offered their own solutions.
Anything to stop the Texas Department of Transportation from tolling lanes that could be added to Loop 1604, from Texas 151 on the West Side to Interstate 10 on the East Side.
"If you hear anything tonight, please know that the citizens who speak here would like to have some options offered to them, and not the idea that this is a done deal," Barry Booth said. "Please present some other alternatives rather than just private industry offering us a solution."
More than 175 people attended a meeting at the Live Oak Civic Center to provide input on a proposal to build four to six toll lanes on Loop 1604. Four out of five of the two dozen speakers railed against tolls, and a handful of business and political leaders touted the need.
By tolling new lanes, construction could be funded a decade or more sooner to deal with growing traffic, and waiting for a gas-tax increase is politically futile, proponents say. Motorists will still have a choice because existing lanes will remain free, they say.
"No one's going to make anybody go on the toll lanes," said Marty Wender, a developer and past president of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. "If we want a quality freeway system in this community that we have today and keep it going, our only choice today is toll roads."
Drivers could pay about 14 to 16 cents a mile on Loop 1604 toll lanes, though a state survey last year tested attitudes about paying as much as double that, depending on times of day and whether people were sharing rides.
Critics say congestion relief will be available only to those who can afford to pay tolls and that everybody else will be stuck in gridlock. They suggest reversible lanes and use of shoulders during rush hours, variable speed limits and ramp metering as some ways to curb traffic.
"This is a an issue that really needs to be addressed in a different way," said Victoria Paparelli, who said she had walked into the meeting favoring tolls on Loop 1604 until she heard other people speak. "We need the opportunity to say what we want."
Another public meeting is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. today at the University of Texas at San Antonio's Convocation Center.
pdriscoll@express-news.net
© 2006 San Antonio Express-News: www.mysanantonio.com
6/28/2006
Patrick Driscoll
San Antonio Express-News
Copyright 2006
North Side residents on Tuesday pleaded with state officials, threatened a backlash at the ballot box, asked for alternatives and even offered their own solutions.
Anything to stop the Texas Department of Transportation from tolling lanes that could be added to Loop 1604, from Texas 151 on the West Side to Interstate 10 on the East Side.
"If you hear anything tonight, please know that the citizens who speak here would like to have some options offered to them, and not the idea that this is a done deal," Barry Booth said. "Please present some other alternatives rather than just private industry offering us a solution."
More than 175 people attended a meeting at the Live Oak Civic Center to provide input on a proposal to build four to six toll lanes on Loop 1604. Four out of five of the two dozen speakers railed against tolls, and a handful of business and political leaders touted the need.
By tolling new lanes, construction could be funded a decade or more sooner to deal with growing traffic, and waiting for a gas-tax increase is politically futile, proponents say. Motorists will still have a choice because existing lanes will remain free, they say.
"No one's going to make anybody go on the toll lanes," said Marty Wender, a developer and past president of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. "If we want a quality freeway system in this community that we have today and keep it going, our only choice today is toll roads."
Drivers could pay about 14 to 16 cents a mile on Loop 1604 toll lanes, though a state survey last year tested attitudes about paying as much as double that, depending on times of day and whether people were sharing rides.
Critics say congestion relief will be available only to those who can afford to pay tolls and that everybody else will be stuck in gridlock. They suggest reversible lanes and use of shoulders during rush hours, variable speed limits and ramp metering as some ways to curb traffic.
"This is a an issue that really needs to be addressed in a different way," said Victoria Paparelli, who said she had walked into the meeting favoring tolls on Loop 1604 until she heard other people speak. "We need the opportunity to say what we want."
Another public meeting is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. today at the University of Texas at San Antonio's Convocation Center.
pdriscoll@express-news.net
© 2006 San Antonio Express-News:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Wednesday, June 28, 2006
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