Posted on 08/13/2006 10:32:56 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Where's the congestion in Texas coming from? Where's the well-managed toll road in Texas that has alleviated congestion?
Where is the proof of concept that this is a good solution to "congestion"?
I remember one of the original Indiana Tollroad threads where a poster suggested that Cintra, after putting-up a boatload of cash, was going to allow its investment (the road) to fall into disrepair, then abandon the project altogether.
Here's a basic proof of concept for you. If a private firm spends $6 billion up front, and another $11 billion (don't quote me on the exact figure) to complete an investment (the road), it expects a return (the tolls) greater than that which it invested. Or at least a return greater than other investment opportunities available.
The Sam Houston Tollway around Houston would be the example you don't want to acknowledge.
Where is any road, toll or otherwise in Texas that alleviates congesting when the growth is there?.... Still searching for a red herring to fish with? It makes not a whits difference if the road is toll or otherwise when the growth occurs they get used and become congested. Are you to blind to see the growth that's occuring in Texas? Where are the roads, infrastructure coming from to deal with the growth?
Maybe if Texas showed they can manage one of the sources of gridlock (illegal immigration),
Dog Gone, you can provide facts AND read my mind. That's an amazing skill you have there.
Now for the next question: why is there such a great need for people to live dozens of miles away from their work (and commute)?
I'm not saying it's a simple issue, but toll roads are an exepensive band aid, at best.
The guiding principle is this:
New roads are bad.
They're even badder if they connect to the BORDER.
Once you understand this concept, the rest becomes clear.
I'm not saying it's a simple issue, but toll roads are an exepensive band aid, at best.
They're even badder if they connect to the BORDER.
Yep, add in the fereiners, and this is the end of our country as we know it.
Foreign money financed most of the railway systems built during the 19th Century. Until WWI, London and Paris were the major finance centers in the world. There was a reasonw hy the company that underwrote the Union Pacific was called the Credit Mobilier.
But why make such a large tempting target that is not needed?
None.
Don't put all the congestion issues into one bucket, because they won't all be solved the same way. The fact that they all currently DO end up on the same roads is due to poor city planning. Separate freight, commuters, and interurban traffic. Look at each group separately.
Is there more trucking coming through Texas? Why? Is it doing more than its fair share of destroying roads? If so, increase taxes on freight, especially if it originates outside the US.
Why are people commuting 10, 20, 30 miles to work? Are they adding more than their fair share of pollution sitting stuck in traffic? If so, offer tax incentives to businesses that are willing to locate closer to their workers, or to workers who are willing to car pool. If they aren't willing to do any of these, then build a toll road that grants exemptions to car poolers.
Also, make it so that people don't feel compelled to flee to the suburbs. Enforce laws and protect property values. Let people transfer their kids out of ANY school system, not just a repeat offender. Discourage illegal immigrations. Punish employers of illegal imigrants and DO NOT devote tax dollars to remedial English courses.
Make traffic light roads well-timed, fast, and accessible.
Reduce sprawl by reducing the need to sprawl. Reduce interstate freight by allowing American manufacturers to compete on a level playing field with their Chinese counterparts. Make a Chinese Bill of Rights a part of any subsequent trade agreements. If not, stop sending them our capital and letting them ship in their goods.
I hope that helps. Do not trade with anyone you would not want to be governed by.
Do not trade with anyone you would not want to be governed by.
How can you say it's not needed?
Look at how crowded I-35 is today. It's needed now. Why wouldn't it be needed 50 years from now?
Perry may be a dumbass, but Kinky takes the cake. And we will never trust a woman who can not keep Keeton-McClellan-Rylander-Strayhorn or whatever the heck it is gonna be next month, straight. She aint no Ma Ferguson.
It is interesting to see so many non-Texans worried about our roadways. Methinks they may have an agenda and interest that is NOT what will be best for Texas. Kinda makes me think we ought to make it twice as big, and three times longer just to hear the Yankees squeal about how much federal funding goes in.
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