Photo by Andrew Richardson

Work will begin on projects that will eventually help ease congestion until Hwy. 290. construction is completed.

“All the commissioners know what’s needed in their precincts, and this helps all of you make those improvements that will keep your communities growing,” said Judge Ed Emmett. “I think this is a great step.”

The proposed project—which would be constructed between Loop 610 and the Grand Parkway—calls for building a two or three-lane reversible managed lane facility for high occupancy vehicles and toll traffic, and includes the addition of one general lane in both directions. The project will be similar to the Katy Managed Lanes on I-10, which consist of toll and HOV lanes in the middle of the freeway, according to Eric Hanson, media relations coordinator for the Harris County Tollroad Authority.

Wall Street Journal - Editorial

April 16, 2012

Nothing shows off the worst of Congress like a highway bill. And this year's scramble for cash is worse than ever because the 18.4 cent a gallon gasoline tax will raise $70 billion less than the $263 billion Congress wants to spend over the next five years. Let the mayhem ensue.

The Senate has passed a two-year $109 billion bill sponsored by Barbara Boxer of California that bails out the highway trust fund with general revenues, including some $12 billion for such non-essentials as the National Endowment for the Oceans and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The bill requires little or no reform. The prevailing Senate view is the more concrete that gets poured, the more jobs back home. So more "shovel-ready" nonstimulus.

House Republicans oppose the Senate version amid a $1.3 trillion deficit and have their own bill to give states more flexibility—though still not enough—on how to spend transportation dollars. Congress had to pass a temporary 90-day extension of highway funding through June 30 because the two sides can't agree.

TxDOT increases speed limits to 80 MPH, why may surprise you

By Terri Hall

Examiner.com

April 13, 2012

The Texas Transportation Commission recently passed a Minute Order allowing the posted speed limits on Texas highways to go up to 80 MPH, if traffic studies show its safe.

At a time when motorists are more concerned than ever about ways to conserve fuel and stretch every gallon of gas, this move by the Commission seems ill-timed, and some would even say, reckless (regarding safety).

However, the most disturbing reason for this change in speed limits is what we warned the Texas Legislature of in 2011 -- this is about maximizing toll revenues for a private, foreign corporation, Cintra, as well as for the State of Texas. Both our lawmakers and TxDOT are making transportation decisions based on profit potential, not public safety.

It's no secret that the traffic levels on SH 130 have been abysmal, and TxDOT has been searching for ways to boost the number of cars that take the toll road, even lowering toll rates 67%. But this move to increase speed limits is based solely on the prospect of a higher share of toll revenues TxDOT will split with Cintra when its two segments of SH 130 open later this year.

The hidden costs of road privatization

By Melissa Cubria, Advocate, Texas Public Interest Research Group

“When infrastructure is privatized (or corporatized), the decisions about its size, shape and placement are driven by market demand. The private partners are interested in elements of infrastructure that can yield the longest and strongest streams of privately capturable revenue not the ones that yield the largest public benefits.”[1]

A WORRISOME TREND

It is easy to see why many states are turning to infrastructure privatization in order to repair, build, modernize, and operate highways and other infrastructure. Cash-strapped states and cities are drawn by up-front payments or other ways to move costs “off budget,” such as shifting to private user fees rather than taxes to address their budget deficits. They may also see privatization as a way to shift future financial risks to private contractors.

In Texas, proposals for private toll roads have come under much criticism, prompting heated debates with most public attention paid to soaring toll rates, seizures of ranch land through eminent domain, and concerns about foreign corporations owning vital Texas roads. Largely neglected from these debates has been a discussion about the long-term effects of standard provisions of privatization contracts. The common terms of road privatization deals restrict the public’s ability to act on its own behalf, force the state to pay privatization companies when those companies claim they would have reaped more revenue if not for state actions, and reduce the public’s right to know information about how public functions are performed and how public dollars are spent.

Toll lanes may soon be coming to Highway 288

Deborah Wrigley

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's finally talk about adding toll lanes on Highway 288. It's a proposal that's sure to excite a lot of folks who live in Pearland. We're talking about toll lanes from Highway 59, all the way down to near the Brazoria County line, so down to the Beltway area.

It is three lanes in each direction -- north and south that link Harris and Brazoria counties, carrying tens of thousands of commuters to and from Houston each workday. But during rush hours...

"Scary, it is; have to slam on brakes," said Crystal Meredith, who commutes from Pearland.

Since Pearland began growing, there's been talk about putting in a toll road on Highway 288. Harris County had the option given to it by the legislature, but in recent years, it didn't have the money to build it. Under the plan, the county will forego that option and the state would do the job.

"If you just look at 288, it was designed from the beginning to be able to have the toll lanes down the middle, so I think the state can move fairly quickly," Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said.

And yet, the toll lanes couldn't cross the Brazoria County line just outside the Beltway because that county has first claim on building a toll road, but no toll road authority. It also has property owners tired of tall he traffic on the only freeway in town. It's enough that one homeowner is considering moving.

"Matter of fact, the thought has crossed my mind going a little farther that way," said Dennis Meredith, who commutes from Pearland.