To toll, or not to toll, that is the question... (San Antonio: apartments, construction)

[Pancho-Villa]

Proposed toll lanes could relieve gridlock on Loop 1604 - San Antonio Express-News



The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority on Thursday threw its support behind a proposal to add toll lanes to a heavily traveled section of Loop 1604 on San Antonio’s North Side, a move that could bring relief to drivers frequently stuck in gridlocked traffic.
The plans, if approved, could widen a 23-mile span of Loop 1604 to eight lanes — four traveling in each direction — from Bandera Road to Interstate 35. That’s double the current capacity.

Drivers would be able to decide if they want to pay a toll to drive in the four newly constructed lanes, which are expected to be less congested, or if they want to drive for free in the existing lanes, where traffic might be heavier.

[ok2k]

Let's do it!! I'd support 100% - what's the possible downside?

You can choose to use the toll and pay or use the other two lanes for free.

[crash1604]

If this is what it takes to build extra lanes I am all for it. It will be worth the toll fee to speed by the people not wanting to pay.

[Shock]

Will not happen. I lost any hope of toll roads after what happened with 281. The same anti-toll activists will stretch out any potential toll expansion as long as possible.

Here is the thing though. Can you imagine how long it would take to expand 1604 with no tolls? We do not have the money to expand 1604. I am not sure of the exact cost to expand 1604 from I35 to Bandera but I know it's well over a billion dollars.

I can see maybe the 1604/I-10 cloverleaf being completely redone in the near future. But I think 1604 is not going to change for the foreseeable future. And on a side note, I thought about this stuff as I was going through 1604 today. Traffic was a parking lot earlier than normal with travelers/Xmas shopping.

[spursfan]

Maybe we can pay for an extended trip to Europe for Terri Hall? I'll start the GoFundMe.

[CyVaquero]

More lanes is nice, but the congestion is from exit/entry chokepoints, accidents, breakdowns, & rubbernecking. Not enough lanes is not the problem.

[GEM-Texas]

If massive housing and apartment construction continues around the area - you will never catch up. Even the streets when you get off the road are becoming parking lots. Look at Wurbach, Huebner and DeZavala - jammed with more and more apartments going up.