[Doohickey]

One thing not mentioned in the article the number of small hotel, gas station and restaurant owners that went under because the Interstate highway system put out of business because the Interstates allowed people to travel farther, faster and/or avoid many small towns. But alas, we survived.

This situation also validates the rule that when a resource is given away for free, demand will swell to consume all available supply. It doesn't really matter how many traffic lanes we put into congested areas; more cars and trucks will show up to clog those up to.

I'm in favor of tolls, as long as there is a decrease in fuel or other taxes to go with it. If I don't feel like paying a toll, I can always take a U.S. highway to get where I'm going (and maybe actually see a little bit of America in the bargain).

My final comment is a question: Why are there no American companies that are willing to keep and maintain toll roads?

[A. Pole]

This situation also validates the rule that when a resource is given away for free, demand will swell to consume all available supply.

This is not true. I see plenty of space in public libraries and many books never read. Also I do not see huge crowds on free sidewalks. Air is still plentiful.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

There are. Several major oil companies tried to monopolize road maintenance and tolls in the 1990s. It was a way to improve netbacks on asphalt.

[Sarajevo]

Does anyone wonder why there are no American companies bidding on these contracts?~Alberta's Child

Why are there no American companies that are willing to keep and maintain toll roads?~Doohickey

Actually, Zachary Construction of San Antonio is teamed with Cintra for the Trans-Texas Corridor portion of this abortion. They are catching he!! here for their secretive practice of withholding information from the public. One of their main practices is the taking of public roads and converting them to toll roads.

For those familiar with the San Antonio area, I'm referring to portions of FM1604, 281, 16 and Rt46.