Sharon Boyd, Editor/Publisher |
DallasArena.com Your alternative to The Dallas Managed News Stan Aten
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7/23/8 More reasons why the Trinity Tollroad is doomed.
I enjoyed Sam Merten's
article
About the Trinity Parkway,
Don't Hold Your Breath. Not Yet, Anyway.
How
the Trinity Tollroad keeps getting delayed.
This project is doomed.
With the rising cost
of gasoline over the past year, the chances of this project ever being built
are even slimmer. This project is based on ever increasing traffic volume;
however, this year overall traffic volume is down across Texas
and the nation. This lower volume means less
revenue for TXDOT and the federal government. Both
agencies are already short of funds to build all the roads they want over
the next few decades.
Therefore, I predict that gasoline taxes will be
increased next year at both the state and federal level. Plus,
there will probably be some form of carbon tax passed next year that drives
up the cost of gasoline even further. Higher prices means less driving
(basic economics). While revenue is down, the cost of building and
maintaining roads has skyrocketed.
This creates a dilemma which will mean even more
toll roads in the future of all drivers in the US. As the demand for toll
roads increases, there will be a greater need to sell bonds.
If you are an investor, you look for the best deal. Would you invest in a tollroad that is subject to flooding? I don't think so.
Bottom line, if there is an honest revenue study
of the Trinity Tollroad, it won't be able to fund itself and the costs will
be too high even for NTTA to fund.
Stan Aten
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