When Beltway 8 opened in Houston 30 years ago, they brought in The Bangles to have a concert to celebrate. The booths were supposed to come down when it the highway was paid for.
Of course they're still up, it's a revenue source.
When Beltway 8 opened in Houston 30 years ago, they brought in The Bangles to have a concert to celebrate. The booths were supposed to come down when it the highway was paid for.
Of course they're still up, it's a revenue source.
1986? I had no idea any part of Beltway 8 has been open that long.
“Of course they’re still up, it’s a revenue source.”
Actually ‘revenue engine’ is the term used by the toll road community. Beltway 8 tolls are now being used for street work in Houston. The dirty little secret about highways is that they are VERY CHEAP to build and operate - so if there’s a big market for their use, they make HUGE BUCKS, which is why you see the sweetheart deals between governments and toll road companies.
Same for the Illinois Tollway - “In 2004, ISTHA made a strategic decision to expand and improve the tollway system instead of converting the roads to freeways.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_State_Toll_Highway_Authority
The Bangles must be rich off of all the tolls.