Strayhorn plan avoids toll roads

Dallas Morning News ^ | August 22, 2006 | Kelley Shannon (Associated Press)

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

AUSTIN – After months of complaining about Republican Gov. Rick Perry's transportation plan, independent gubernatorial candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn put forth her plan Monday for unclogging Texas roads.

Mrs. Strayhorn said that she wouldn't rely on toll roads, as Mr. Perry's plan does, and that she would expand capacity on Interstate 35 using existing rights of way. In some congested areas that could mean double-decker highways, she said.

"Texas once had and can again have a freeway system that is the envy of the nation," Mrs. Strayhorn said. "I am adamantly opposed to any toll roads in Texas."

She also said she would step up the "ports to plains" highway plan to send more traffic through West Texas on existing roads; increase the use of Texas seaports; improve the state's rail system along existing rights of way; and encourage telecommuting to stagger work schedules and relieve traffic congestion.

Her plan came on the last day for public comment on the initial segment of Mr. Perry's proposed Trans-Texas Corridor.

In 2000, Mrs. Strayhorn expressed general support for toll roads, saying that toll financing can speed a project to completion. But in her current campaign, she's been outspoken against toll roads in general and Mr. Perry's plan in particular.

Mr. Perry's campaign called her plan "bad science fiction" and listed the reasons it said her proposals won't work.

"Carole Strayhorn's latest plan to solve Texas' future transportation needs is so unrealistic, she might as well have proposed using the transporter system from the starship Enterprise," said Perry campaign spokesman Robert Black. He said Texans are smart enough to see that "there is no substance behind her smoke-and-mirror transportation tricks."

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

For other stories relating to the Trans-Texas Corridor and Stayhorn's road plan:

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Dogpile

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Trans-Texas Corridor PING!

[sinkspur]

For instance, Mr. Black said, expanding I-35 is costly and already is under way where existing rights of way can be used. But he said that still doesn't do enough. Double-decking I-35 would cost $10 billion and would take decades, he added.

Strayhorn's goofy. She's also been itching to institute a state income tax, and upgrading highways would be her way to get that done.

[Paleo Conservative]

Mrs. Strayhorn said that she wouldn't rely on toll roads, as Mr. Perry's plan does, and that she would expand capacity on Interstate 35 using existing rights of way. In some congested areas that could mean double-decker highways, she said.

elevated highways are susceptible to being closed down by freezing weather. I-35 has bad traffic 24 hours a day 365 days a year. It's even worse during the half week before Christmas. A few years ago 50% of the lanes on I-35 going through Austin had to be closed down on Christmas Eve due to freezing rainy weather that created icy conditions on the four elevated lanes (2 lanes each direction). That left only two lanes each direction open during on the day with the heaviest traffic of the year on one of the busiest stretches of highway in North America.

Pro TTC

This is a pro Trans-Texas Corridor ping list.

Please let me know by Freepmail if you want on or off the list.

[TXnMA]

He said Texans are smart enough to see that "there is no substance behind her smoke-and-mirror transportation tricks."

I haven't studied Strayhorn's 'plan' yet, but Perry (and his/TXDOT's sycophants here on FR) certainly are experts on the application of insubstantial "smoke and mirrors". They should know it when they see it...

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[basil]

Thanks--but I am totally ANTI this horrible boondoggle. You can tak me off your ping list.

[basil]

take has an e at the end!

[Dog Gone]

If Perry were anti-TTC, Strayhorn would be for it. She opposes him on every issue. It's how she defines herself.

[Halcontent]

http://corridorwatch.org/ttc/index.htm

[Halcontent]

http://kaufmancountyonline.com/artman/publish/article_683.shtml

[deport]

Strayhorn is can't decide what she is for....

She can't stay married to the same man,

Can't decide if she is a Democrat, Republican or Independent

Can't decide if she is against the TTC or for it as she was a few years ago.

I almost think she can flip flop about as good as Kerry.

[BJClinton]

she would expand capacity on Interstate 35 using existing rights of way

I think grandma is going senile, bless her heart.

[deport]

Do you still think NO will turn red?

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

bump.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

As I understand it, Ms. Strayhorn was for toll roads in general. Whether she had any idea of the TTC at that time, I have no idea.

[NTegraT]

Can you spell "i-n-c-o-m-e t-a-x" !!??

[deport]

I guess you are correct in that I don't think the TTC was an announced concept back in 2000 and 2001 when Ms. Rylander was announcing her support of toll roads as the new method of road financing/construction in Texas.

[Sarajevo]

I-35 has bad traffic 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

False! I drive I-35 in San Antonio on an almost daily basis. The only times traffic is bad is during morning/evening rush hours or when an accident occurs.

[Jonx6]

If more money is needed for the most basic government services, such as highways, we should cut back spending in other areas before we start adding user fees to those basic services.