"We have had a lot of opposition especially from groups like 'Stop 121' which is a local group that feeds into a state group."
Plano crowd mixed on SH 121
July 26, 2006
By Joshua C. Johnson
Plano Star-Courier
Copyright 2006
Another in a long line of public hearings and meetings on the proposed State Highway 121 toll road drew a handful of Texas Department of Transportation officials, politicians, and only a handful of residents genuinely interesting in learning more about the construction to the Plano Centre Tuesday.
Many attendees where surprised when they entered the ballroom prepared for a town hall type meeting and found only map displays, 3-D demos and TxDOT engineers willing to explain the interworkings of the new toll road.
"The reason why we chose this format is to give folks the opportunity is to ask questions and give them the chance to get as much information as possible," said TxDOT spokesperson Angela Loston.
According to Loston who has been intimately involved with the development of the $700 million project, this style of meeting has produced positive results in past ventures.
"We have used this profile with other projects that we have done such as Southern Gateway in Dallas and the I-30 project," she said. "From what we heard from people that went to our public meeting last year in Denton County is that a lot of them felt like they didn't get their questions answered or voice all their comments."
Among the small throng many were politicians running for office who criticized the project such as Denton County Commissioner candidate Amy Manuel and Collin County Commissioner candidate Bill Baumbach, who condemns the use of toll roads to finance future projects. Baumbach is seeking to unseat Precinct 2 Commissioner Jerry Hoagland.
Among the voiced distain for the project the toll price has yet to be confirmed by the HNTB Corporation the private engineering firm that will build the road. Currently in Denton County toll prices are 13.3 cents per mile. According to Loston, by the time the 12.5 mile Collin County portion is complete it will be up to 17 cents during prime hours [6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.].
Many of the critics of this toll price which is based on the Consumer Price Index call the toll a double tax.
"I have heard that in the past and the reality is that folks are not getting double taxed," said Loston. "The toll road is optional; it's not something that people have to use. They won't be restricted to driving just riding the main lanes."
According to the diagram a three lane frontage road traveling in both directions will be available to those who don't wish to pay the toll.
"You can move traffic pretty quick, but it [frontage roads] won't be as fast as it would be on the toll road," said Commissioner Jack Hatchell.
The payment of this toll, called one of the highest in the region will not be via the traditional cash to manned toll booth but motorists have the option of buying a toll tag or being billed a monthly statement.
Those wishing to be billed will pay a 1/3 higher toll in addition to a $1 administrative fee
Like a traditional toll booth the gantries along SH 121 will be armed with cameras that will take a picture of the vehicle's license plate and a bill with be sent to the registered owner.
"I have visited with a few people their main concerns that there where no cage lanes, but that is TxDOT's decision we the county and the four cities pushed for at least one caged lane," said Hatchell, who also voiced his concerns for visitors traveling along the toll road.
The solution presented was temporary toll tags would be sold in $5 increments at various locations around the toll road.
"Their [HNTB Corporation] line of reasoning used is that it would cost more for operators than it would be for the violators that go ahead and run through them. It would cost you more to collect the tolls," he said.
Hatchel says that other than the toll pricing many of the opposition have accepted that the road will open.
"We have had a lot of opposition especially from groups like 'Stop 121' which is a local group that feeds into a state group. And each time we had a public meeting they will come and speak against it," he said.
While the Collin County portion of the toll road is set for completion around 2010, officials agree that Denton County motorists have gasped to the idea much quicker than those of Collin County.
"Denton County residents have pretty much agreed to tolling, there was portion that was against it but since it has been there they have changed their minds," said Loston.
The next official public hearing is set for the winter months after an environmental evaluation is complete.
Contact staff writer Joshua C. Johnson at 972-398-4255 or joshua.johnson#scntx.com
© 2006 Star Community Newspapers : www.courier-gazette.com
July 26, 2006
By Joshua C. Johnson
Plano Star-Courier
Copyright 2006
Another in a long line of public hearings and meetings on the proposed State Highway 121 toll road drew a handful of Texas Department of Transportation officials, politicians, and only a handful of residents genuinely interesting in learning more about the construction to the Plano Centre Tuesday.
Many attendees where surprised when they entered the ballroom prepared for a town hall type meeting and found only map displays, 3-D demos and TxDOT engineers willing to explain the interworkings of the new toll road.
"The reason why we chose this format is to give folks the opportunity is to ask questions and give them the chance to get as much information as possible," said TxDOT spokesperson Angela Loston.
According to Loston who has been intimately involved with the development of the $700 million project, this style of meeting has produced positive results in past ventures.
"We have used this profile with other projects that we have done such as Southern Gateway in Dallas and the I-30 project," she said. "From what we heard from people that went to our public meeting last year in Denton County is that a lot of them felt like they didn't get their questions answered or voice all their comments."
Among the small throng many were politicians running for office who criticized the project such as Denton County Commissioner candidate Amy Manuel and Collin County Commissioner candidate Bill Baumbach, who condemns the use of toll roads to finance future projects. Baumbach is seeking to unseat Precinct 2 Commissioner Jerry Hoagland.
Among the voiced distain for the project the toll price has yet to be confirmed by the HNTB Corporation the private engineering firm that will build the road. Currently in Denton County toll prices are 13.3 cents per mile. According to Loston, by the time the 12.5 mile Collin County portion is complete it will be up to 17 cents during prime hours [6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.].
Many of the critics of this toll price which is based on the Consumer Price Index call the toll a double tax.
"I have heard that in the past and the reality is that folks are not getting double taxed," said Loston. "The toll road is optional; it's not something that people have to use. They won't be restricted to driving just riding the main lanes."
According to the diagram a three lane frontage road traveling in both directions will be available to those who don't wish to pay the toll.
"You can move traffic pretty quick, but it [frontage roads] won't be as fast as it would be on the toll road," said Commissioner Jack Hatchell.
The payment of this toll, called one of the highest in the region will not be via the traditional cash to manned toll booth but motorists have the option of buying a toll tag or being billed a monthly statement.
Those wishing to be billed will pay a 1/3 higher toll in addition to a $1 administrative fee
Like a traditional toll booth the gantries along SH 121 will be armed with cameras that will take a picture of the vehicle's license plate and a bill with be sent to the registered owner.
"I have visited with a few people their main concerns that there where no cage lanes, but that is TxDOT's decision we the county and the four cities pushed for at least one caged lane," said Hatchell, who also voiced his concerns for visitors traveling along the toll road.
The solution presented was temporary toll tags would be sold in $5 increments at various locations around the toll road.
"Their [HNTB Corporation] line of reasoning used is that it would cost more for operators than it would be for the violators that go ahead and run through them. It would cost you more to collect the tolls," he said.
Hatchel says that other than the toll pricing many of the opposition have accepted that the road will open.
"We have had a lot of opposition especially from groups like 'Stop 121' which is a local group that feeds into a state group. And each time we had a public meeting they will come and speak against it," he said.
While the Collin County portion of the toll road is set for completion around 2010, officials agree that Denton County motorists have gasped to the idea much quicker than those of Collin County.
"Denton County residents have pretty much agreed to tolling, there was portion that was against it but since it has been there they have changed their minds," said Loston.
The next official public hearing is set for the winter months after an environmental evaluation is complete.
Contact staff writer Joshua C. Johnson at 972-398-4255 or joshua.johnson#scntx.com
© 2006 Star Community Newspapers :
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Wednesday, July 26, 2006
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