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Old 09-10-2012, 12:04 AM
 
3,669 posts, read 6,877,109 times
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The private foreign-owned company that owns SH130 is giving the state $100 million for raising the speed limit to 85 mph and at the same time the state is reducing the speed of a free road nearby from 65 mph to 55 mph in a move to seemingly make the public route even less attractive.

Another part of SH 130 is so empty during rush hour a plane landed on it. I don't see how they will recoup the $1.3 billion price tag.

Quote:
Texans have a deep-seated aversion to foreign-owned toll roads and see it as a threat to state sovereignty over public infrastructure. So the fact Cintra tapped a familiar face from TxDOT to be its public voice, demonstrates the company’s attempt to cloak itself as just another Texas venture.
Cintra markets its SH 130 toll road in San Antonio - San Antonio Transportation Policy | Examiner.com

Quote:
"The state is penalizing the motoring public by lowering the speed limit on the free alternative so that it can draw more business to the toll road," he said.
Toll Road Offers Fast Cash to Texas - WSJ.com
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Old 09-10-2012, 12:21 AM
 
Location: San Antonio, Texas
4,287 posts, read 8,030,653 times
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What I don't get is, Texas is doing fairly well. Why would it be seemingly desperate to accept $100M from Cintra? I just don't quite get that part.

What's that free road they're dropping the speed limit to 55 on? Guys, remember how often I rant insanely that speed limits have very little to do with safety & are set arbitrarily for one reason only sometimes?

Here's the proof screaming at you in the face.

Anyways, in the long run, I am extremely concerned about this having some sort of unforeseen negative consequence on I-35. What if they had some secret contract that'll be "found, revealed or amended" in 2014 that says they're not making enough money by "their" standards & changes have to be made to I-35? I am deeply concerned about that.
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Old 09-10-2012, 12:28 AM
 
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But transportation commissioner spokeswoman Veronica Beyer said it was exactly because of safety that they are changing the speed limits on both roads.

I think you might be right Soviet, in this case, it has nothing to do with safety. Can't expect the God's honest truth from some when it comes to the march of privatization.
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Old 09-10-2012, 12:40 AM
 
Location: San Antonio, Texas
4,287 posts, read 8,030,653 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Merovee View Post
But transportation commissioner spokeswoman Veronica Beyer said it was exactly because of safety that they are changing the speed limits on both roads.

I think you might be right Soviet, in this case, it has nothing to do with safety. Can't expect the God's honest truth from some when it comes to the march of privatization.
So a road that had the same speed limit for what was probably years & years suddenly is deemed "unsafe" at that particular limit at THE SAME EXACT TIME a high-speed toll road is being built & getting ready for opening?! I would LOVE to see the accident report for that road & see the general trendline. Dollars to donuts it increased only with the upward trrend of population/traffic, if it increased at all.
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Old 09-10-2012, 07:09 AM
 
Location: San Antonio
1,893 posts, read 5,588,394 times
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So,how much is it going to cost to use this toll road?
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Old 09-10-2012, 10:43 AM
 
Location: San Antonio
1,893 posts, read 5,588,394 times
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Just re-read the story. Toll prices have not yet been set. The last time I was tempted to use a toll road was about two years ago coming from Taylor and going to NW Austin. It cost me $8 plus gas. I don't think it really saved me any time despite being almost the only one on the road that day. I'd hate to have to do that commute on a daily basis. For a five day week that would add $320 onto your commute bill for the month.

On side note, at the end of the article they were running an ad for a florist. Where to get the freshest flowers. Looks like the people who are suppling the funeral customers are taking notice.
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Old 09-10-2012, 01:55 PM
 
779 posts, read 1,660,770 times
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Paid $6 to go around Austin using 130 this past weekend. It was only 80 mph in that area, but it sure beats getting stuck in downtown Austin. Not sure how much time was saved, but it was just nice to set the cruise control, no need to change lanes, sit back and enjoy the ride.
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Old 09-10-2012, 02:01 PM
 
170 posts, read 291,298 times
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I used 281->290 to successfully get around game day traffic this weekend. It's farther mileage-wise, but if they crack down on this speed limit change on 35, it may become by regular route.
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Old 09-10-2012, 02:52 PM
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Location: Ohio
17,107 posts, read 38,111,983 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by badalchemist View Post
I used 281->290 to successfully get around game day traffic this weekend. It's farther mileage-wise, but if they crack down on this speed limit change on 35, it may become by regular route.
The speed limit change was not made to I-35... at least not yet. It's on a state highway that parallels the toll road.
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Old 09-10-2012, 06:54 PM
 
Location: San Antonio, Texas
4,287 posts, read 8,030,653 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bo View Post
The speed limit change was not made to I-35... at least not yet. It's on a state highway that parallels the toll road.
Which state highway is that?
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