Challenging the Wisdom of the Trans Texas Corridor.

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  Issues & Concerns

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Issues & Concerns: Misplaced Transportation Spending

 

Misplaced Transportation Spending

Doesn't solve the traffic congestion problem.

The singular focus of the Corridor plan is to build corridors that connect regions of the state intentionally bypassing urban centers. Those metropolitan areas are left to deal with their own traffic and mobility problems, including access to the Corridor.  Since our large cities are the traffic generators and destination points, the Corridor will offer little if any relief for traffic congestion.

"We support the concept of the Trans Texas Corridor, but we don't want it at the expense of all the urban transportation improvement that are needed." Lois Finkleman, Dallas City Councilwoman [more]

It's designed to generate revenue first and provide transportation second.

The Corridor plan is designed to provide transportation funds, more than transportation. Rather than identify specific transportation needs and offer solutions, the Plan defines funding as the need and the Corridor as the solution. Accordingly it's not important where the Corridor is built, as long as it generates revenue.

"Governor Perry and his friends spent a great deal of time researching ideas to create more revenue" 
— Transportation Commissioner Ric Williamson (March 25, 2003) [citation] [full text]

". . . concentrating on the four primary routes first, is the beginning of generating the cash flow . . ." — Transportation Commissioner Ric Williamson (June 27, 2002) [citation]

"...generating revenue, directly or indirectly, for use in constructing or operating the Trans-Texas Corridor from or for ancillary facilities that directly benefit users of the Trans-Texas Corridor." [Sec. 227.041(b)(5)]

Private Interests v. Public Interests.

Private investment and partnership sounds like a good idea until you realize that 'their' goal is strictly profit driven (not transportation). Private investment will involve bonds and bondholders who naturally want to protect their money and will insist on terms and conditions that can be contrary to the public good. That leads to the kind of 'bad' deals made in California necessary to keep the private money interested. [more] [privatization white paper]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       

This Page Last Updated: Thursday December 14, 2006

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