Austin growth will absolutely overwhelm roads and highways starting in 2011 - new study (Dallas: sale, real estate)

[capcat]

"I encounter terrible traffic just going anywhere in Austin at ANYTIME."

I don't find this to be true at all. How far out are you going with this...what area? Out near Lakeline Mall, etc., I'd maybe agree with you, but not in what I consider to be the city. Traffic is light, except for peak commuting times. On the city streets especially, but even on major arteries like Mopac and 183 during off-peak hours and weekends.

[TexasHorseLady]

I have to agree. When I can usually get from about 15 miles north of Georgetown to Barton Hills in an hour (which means crossing the river, of course), traffic can't be that bad all the time.

[verybadgnome]

One of the benefits of living in place where you don't have to drive as much is that you won't be paying for quite so many gallons of gas at $0.18/gallon federal, and $0.20/gallon state tax. Toll roads are voluntary so whether or not you want to pay for it is your choice. Then you have local city roads, mostly non-arterial backstreets, which are paid through property taxes and pretty much everyone uses. Finally you have roads paid for with city/county bonds that often come up in elections. This is where individuals can advocate towards subsidizing these roads they may not use or vote for something that they would.

[twange]

Originally Posted by capcat

"I encounter terrible traffic just going anywhere in Austin at ANYTIME."

I don't find this to be true at all. How far out are you going with this...what area? Out near Lakeline Mall, etc., I'd maybe agree with you, but not in what I consider to be the city. Traffic is light, except for peak commuting times. On the city streets especially, but even on major arteries like Mopac and 183 during off-peak hours and weekends.

Fair enough. Definite exaggeration on my part. My point was that traffic is heavy on the major freeways in many areas at many different times during the day - not just rush hour. Most of this is due to incomplete exchanges. That was my point. Sorry to convolute it with overstatement.

[thesonofgray]

Since we're on the topic of toll roads...I actually don't mind them. I think it's about time most people realize driving anywhere and everywhere isn't an inalienable right. Obviously "access" should be universal and free, but quick an easy access is a luxury - not a right.

I also think it encourages the use of transit if available and smarter use of people's transportation options. It also might discourage the placement of businesses along highways, which I've explained my distaste for in previous posts.

I understand the concerns about who's actually getting all that toll money, and what they're planning to do with it, but I think toll roads themselves aren't all that bad.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Originally Posted by TedH71

What's more annoying to me is that the toll roads were built and owned by a foreign company that is not even a U.S. owned company! They are the ones raking in the bucks not the Texans....

What foreign company?

[thesonofgray]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

What foreign company?

If I remember correctly - Cintra, a Spanish toll road and "car park" operator. They're huge - international - and probably gave TxDOT the best bang for their buck...or had the best brownies.

Ah, and they're also working with TxDOT on the greater TTC.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Is this the same company putting the highway through the rain forest in Brazil?

[contramundum]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

Is this the same company putting the highway through the rain forest in Brazil?

What?! That **** better not be happening.

[thesonofgray]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

Is this the same company putting the highway through the rain forest in Brazil?

Dunno. But their website shows Chile as their only presence in South America.