People will no longer "spout concerns into a microphone."
Toll road meeting to use new method
07/27/2006
Patrick Driscoll
San Antonio Express-News
Copyrigh t2006
The city's latest public meeting for a proposed toll road will be unlike any other held so far.
The meeting, to get input for an environmental assessment on possible toll lanes along Bandera Road, will be held 7 p.m. today at Marshall High School, 8000 Lobo Lane.
Instead of people lining up to spout concerns into a microphone, the typical format, participants will break into groups to discuss funding and design options and reconvene to share opinions.
"In order to have true community involvement, you have to have two-way conversation," said Terry Brechtel, director of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority.
The agency is studying potential toll lanes on Bandera from Loop 410 to Loop 1604 but will also consider alternatives such as transit and improvements to smooth traffic flows.
"All options are on equal footing," an agency statement says.
A Texas Department of Transportation study estimated that building two to four elevated toll lanes could cost from $281 million to $358 million.
A toll fee of 13 cents a mile, which would increase with inflation, would cover less than half the cost.
Other funds could come from gas taxes or private firms interested in operating the toll lanes.
If toll lanes are built, construction could start as early as 2010 and finish two to three years later, Brechtel said.
pdriscoll@express-news.net
© 2006 San Antonio Express-News: www.mysanantonio.com
07/27/2006
Patrick Driscoll
San Antonio Express-News
Copyrigh t2006
The city's latest public meeting for a proposed toll road will be unlike any other held so far.
The meeting, to get input for an environmental assessment on possible toll lanes along Bandera Road, will be held 7 p.m. today at Marshall High School, 8000 Lobo Lane.
Instead of people lining up to spout concerns into a microphone, the typical format, participants will break into groups to discuss funding and design options and reconvene to share opinions.
"In order to have true community involvement, you have to have two-way conversation," said Terry Brechtel, director of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority.
The agency is studying potential toll lanes on Bandera from Loop 410 to Loop 1604 but will also consider alternatives such as transit and improvements to smooth traffic flows.
"All options are on equal footing," an agency statement says.
A Texas Department of Transportation study estimated that building two to four elevated toll lanes could cost from $281 million to $358 million.
A toll fee of 13 cents a mile, which would increase with inflation, would cover less than half the cost.
Other funds could come from gas taxes or private firms interested in operating the toll lanes.
If toll lanes are built, construction could start as early as 2010 and finish two to three years later, Brechtel said.
pdriscoll@express-news.net
© 2006 San Antonio Express-News:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Thursday, July 27, 2006
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