Based on current revenue, the State can fund only about
one-third of the statewide transportation needs. This means just one in three
projects will get the dollars needed for construction. The traditional
tax-based method of financing roads is no longer sufficient to handle the
state's mobility needs in a timely fashion. Developing roads as turnpikes will
stretch limited taxpayer dollars and accelerate construction of highway
projects, resulting in congestion relief for motorists, sooner rather than
later.
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The state's population and number of registered vehicles
continue to rise. This has resulted in the need for more roads to keep pace
with the demand on our strained highway system. Turnpikes offer an alternative
method of financing for needed highway projects. Although motorists will pay a
toll to use the turnpike, they will benefit from time saved because of less
congestion.
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Including toll roads and bridges, there are more than 20
successful toll projects currently operating in the state. In Houston, the most
notable is the Sam Houston Parkway, operated by the Harris County Toll Road
Authority. In Dallas, the Mountain Creek Lake Toll Bridge, President George
Bush Turnpike, and Dallas North Tollway are operated by the North Texas Tollway
Authority. In addition, 15 international toll bridges are located along the
Texas/Mexico border.
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In 1953, the Legislature created the Texas Toll Authority to
oversee toll road construction by private parties. The following year,
construction began on the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike. It was completed in 1957.
The turnpike was paid off 17 years early and was debt free when it was turned
over to the State. In 1983, Harris County approved a referendum to create the
Harris County Toll Road Authority, which has built more than 80 miles of toll
roads.
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Construction Feasibility
From an engineering perspective, is it a project that can be built?
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Traffic Demand Trends
Will there be enough traffic to support the toll road?
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Availability of Free Alternate Routes
Are alternative, non-toll routes available?
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Economic Strength and Diversity
Is the turnpike needed?
Will it carry sufficient traffic to pay the cost to build it?
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The price of a toll will depend on the distance traveled and
whether a money-saving toll tag is used. The option of tax-supported roads or
toll roads will allow motorists to choose the most time-saving route. In 2007,
the tolls, without a toll tag, will be approximately:
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$0.12 to $0.17/mile for SH 130
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$0.12 to $0.17/mile for SH 45 North
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$0.12 to $0.17/mile for Loop 1
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$0.12 to $0.17/mile for SH 45SE
TxTag account holders will pay a 10% discounted rate. You may open a TxTag account can at www.txtag.org or by calling the Customer Service Center at 1-888-GoTxTag. Your TxTag is operable on all Texas tollroads.
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If the debt is paid off, the tolls may be reduced to a level
that would still cover necessary operation and maintenance costs. With the
growing demand for new roads and other transportation improvements, however,
the chances are that tolls will not be removed. Instead, they will be used for
the toll roads' continued operation and maintenance or to expand the toll
system to meet transportation needs. Like the successful toll roads in Dallas
and Houston, additional revenues can be used to operate, maintain, and expand
the turnpike system.
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