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Senate Blocks Toll Road Conversions In Texas

Posted by: Nate Berg

13 September 2007 - 12:00pm

The U.S. Senate recently approved a bill that prohibits the state of Texas from converting any of its existing highways into toll roads for at least one year.

"The amendment by Texas Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison would delay for one year a plan by Texas transportation officials to turn to toll roads. State officials have said they need the revenue to help defray an $86 billion shortfall in highway funding for the state."

"Hutchison argued that it is unfair to turn highways already paid for by taxpayers into toll roads, and she has pledged to press for a permanent ban."

"She also proposed legislation for a permanent ban for all states. A similar bill was offered in the House by Reps. Charlie Gonzales and Ciro Rodriguez, both Democrats from San Antonio, and two House Republicans from Pennsylvania."

Full Story: Hutchison moves to block toll plan
Source: The Houston Chronicle, September 13, 2007
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Cost of Ownership

Submitted by dhofmann on Thu, 09/13/2007 - 12:44.

But the cost of owning a road isn't just what you paid to build it. It's also the ongoing maintenance costs. Shouldn't people who place more than their fair share of wear and tear on a road pay more to maintain it than people who rarely or never use it?

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