Posted on 01/19/2008 6:58:56 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
It's not often that an individual makes such a significant and undoubtedly lasting impact on a state as big as Texas, but my long-time friend and Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, Ric Williamson, certainly did.
As most of you know, Ric died suddenly last month at age 55.
It is true that as the state's transportation policymaker, he was a controversial figure. But, it has been my experience that people with visionary instincts and those who prefer to think outside the box are often considered different and unconventional. The world has a long legacy of resisting new ideas, even those that are inevitable. In fact, progress often faces such overwhelming obstacles as to delay the changes vital to advancements in the future.
While no stranger to challenges (sometimes partly due to his aggressive style of leadership), Ric always had the good of Texas at heart in his efforts to improve transportation across the state. Some of his ideas were not popular, particularly the proposed public-private partnership designed to create and operate the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC). Even so, there was never any doubt that his efforts were sincere, his opinions well reasoned, and his objectives honorable -- the smoother the flow of transportation, the better the quality of life and economic opportunity in today's fast-paced world. I had the privilege of being in the room with him for hours and hours as these ideas were hatched. I can tell you firsthand that his enthusiasm was genuine and infectious.
Overcrowding and deterioration of older roads and bridges have been cramping the flow of people and products in and through Texas for many years. A recent report by a national transportation research group noted that more than one-third of U.S. highways are congested, and that 33 percent of the nation's major roads are in "poor or mediocre condition." Moreover, according to American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials, travel on the national highway system has nearly quadrupled over the past 50 years. Unfortunately, neither ongoing improvements nor thinking regarding changes in methods and procedures for the future have kept up with that pace.
As the second most populous state and the nation's leader in the number of highway miles, Texas has not been immune to such difficulties. In fact, the Texas Department of Transportation predicts even greater challenges as road use is expected to increase by 214 percent over the next 25 or so years.
There is no question that the future growth of the Texas economy is dependent on the movement of goods and services via either new or greatly improved transportation systems. It is equally obvious that existing funding mechanisms will not get the job done. Some of the ways and means Ric proposed and supported have the potential to be highly effective in such approaches.
For example, with regard to the TTC that Williamson favored, my firm did an economic impact study on the potential of these multi-use transportation systems. We found that not only would such systems reduce time and cost of transporting goods and services throughout the state, they would also enhance reliability and safety. Furthermore, secondary benefits would include the lowering of inventory levels and the reducing of cost to consumers within the TTC.
In addition, productivity would rise as would earnings of companies operating within the state. Moreover, the TTC would stimulate business activity and investment in the areas where it was located, expand interstate trade and operations, and help enable companies to increase market size and market share on a global basis. It would also substantially improve the attractiveness of Texas as a location for new businesses. Just through the construction phase alone (through 2030), it would pour scores of billions of dollars into the state economy.
A former state legislator and oil and gas executive, Ric was steadfast in his endeavor to undergird the economic growth of Texas through the creation and improvement of a variety of transportation avenues. Unfettered by "What ifs?," Williamson was a "Why not?" leader. His mantra seemed to be, "If it can be envisioned and is worthy of consideration, why not make the attempt?" I applaud such an approach in all aspects of life.
Although his tenure was short and some of his goals may not be achieved within his timetable or in their original wrappings, Ric Williamson's ideas were sound and his vision was profound. We will ultimately recognize (as has much of the rest of the world) the important role of public-private partnerships in infrastructure development. When we embrace this notion, it will be in no small measure due to his undaunted perseverance. The fact that something is unpopular or ahead of the curve does not mean it is wrong (just ask Copernicus). Ric's impact will long be felt by all Texans, as well as by everyone who travels the roads of the Lone Star State -- both today and for decades to come.
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Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com). He also serves as Institute Distinguished Professor of Economic Theory and Method at the International Institute for Advanced Studies.
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
Is the section between Midland/Odessa and Big Springs that goes North a part of this corridor? It has been unfinished for at least 11 years.
BTTT
I propose naming the 121 tollroad the ‘Rick Williamson Memorial Fleeceway’.
You may remember that I used to argue with you over the issue of toll roads until Williamson pulled the 121 stunt.
Lasting Legacy???
Hmmmmm...Kinda like Herpes...
‘Rick Williamson Memorial Fleeceway’.
BUMP THAT!
I'll second that nomination!
We'll be paying for his "legacy" for the next hundred years.
In spite of the fact Williamson and the Regional Authority wanted 121 developed as a Comprehensive Development Agreement(with CINTRA being the high bidder/winner), the legislature forced an end to that and gave it to NTTA to develop.
So, lets be accurate and call it what it is: the Carona Memorial Fleeceway.
This leads us to another dirty little detail, that you're hearing here first.
All those claims and commitments that NTTA made on 121 will fall by the wayside because of the credit crunch. Their interest rates on short and long term financing will be much higher than they anticipated.
Is there something wrong with your memory?
1. If tolls were required, the locals wanted a locally operated toll road. The plan was for the county and the affected cities to develop it, and contract for the operation. The front runner for the operating contract was NTTA.
2. The Williamson gang wanted to give the road to the Spaniards, since the locals weren't planning to charge tolls high enough to make the tolls on the other project look reasonable. The state even entered into a preliminary deal with the foreigners that would have hosed the local taxpayers. In addition, the state threatened funding for needed highway projects in the area if the locals resisted. (At that point, I went from being a supporter of the toll roads to being completely opposed to the Rick and Ric team).
3. The locals managed to gather enough political clout to force Rick and Ric to agree to a compromise. NTTA would be allowed to bid, tolls would be high enough to provide cover for the other projects, and a few dollars would be sent back to local projects that would have received state funding otherwise.
4. In what was closer to a fair competition, the Rick/Ric/Rudy (yep, that Rudy) team lost out to the NTTA, the Denton and Dallas county parts of the road are open, the NTTA has a source of funds for the non-viable Southwest tollway in Fort Worth.
That's a good laugh. They/you want free roads.
To the individual taxpayer, whoever builds, owns, operates the toll road is not crucial. It is the fact that the user pays and the taxpayer doesn't.
And since profits will be used to build other roads, that means even fewer taxes.
I see you tried to unsuccessfully decontextualize my comment when you saw that you were unable to argue the merit of your position.
Better luck next time.
You confirmed the validity of my position.
I said that you can't call 121 the RW Mem Fleeceway because that road will not be built as he wanted. You then said "the Rick/Ric/Rudy team lost out", confirming what I said.
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