Austin's toll roads definitely help decrease commutes for many Austinites. I don't use them frequently, but on the occasions that I do, I really appreciate their existence.
One might assume that since the toll roads opened last year, TxDOT is well on their way to paying for their construction. However, in an announcement made early last month, TxDOT stated that they will not accept any new contracts. This sent up a red flag to Texas legislators. Four days later, the department's executive director, Amadeo Saenz, Chief Financial Officer James Bass and three transportation commissioners spent three hours answering questions in an unusual, out-of-session joint meeting of the Senate Finance and the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security committees.
TxDOT officials told lawmakers that agency planners mistakenly counted $1.1 billion of revenue twice, which caused them to commit to more road projects than the agency could handle. The balance sheets and data provided by TxDOT left legislators perplexed and suspicious. The state auditor's office is expected to act quickly.
One of the interim charges of the Texas State Senate Committee on Finance is to "Study the effectiveness of cash management strategies of the state." Well done, Senators; this is a fabulous example of accountability. Despite his hostility during the stern questioning, former Austin Mayor, Senator Kirk Watson, was really paying attention! I love to see my tax dollars hard at work. Thank you to our legislators for giving us something to applaud them for. Austin's toll roads are a lovely addition to our growing city, so let's make sure that the entire project is successful from beginning to end.
To see Ben Wear's article in the Statesman, click here: $1 billion error caused cash crunch
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2 comments:
LEARN THE FACTS!
Kirk Watson and others on CAMPO just voted to divert $910 million tax dollars (promised for free roads) into shifting portions of 183, 290 and 71) into toll roads.
No city in the country has shifted it's freeways to tollways.
Creating monopolistic tolled expressways will cause havoc with our local economy.
http://salcostello.blogspot.com/
Ouch. First of all, I admit to not knowing everything about the creation of or motivation for the Austin toll roads. Furthermore, I am entitled to my opinion of the existence of them. Lastly, the only fact I was commenting on was the accountability of TxDot to the legislature. Come on...$1 billion counted TWICE! I stand strong, Sal.
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