Daily News Briefs, September 3, 2024

Texas Transportation Commission Approves Record 10-Year Transportation Plan

Houston Chronicle reports, the Texas Transportation Commission recently set another record with its approval of a 10-year unified transportation program that includes $104.17 billion for system improvements and, “[c]ombined with development and other maintenance that falls outside the typical sources of money for the Texas Department of Transportation, . . . includes $147.87 billion in work on roads.” Last year’s program update also exceeded $100 billion. “We are the envy of every state in America with the money we have got in this,’ transportation commissioner Steven Alvis said.” But commissioner Alvin New added that, due to the spike in construction costs, the record-high spending plan essentially represents a level budget. The article highlights the I-45 and I-10 projects in the Houston area, I-45 rebuilding on Galveston Island, and SR 105 widening in Montgomery County. It also notes that, despite the 10-year plan’s significant investments in the Houston area, only nine out of 1,061 location-specific comments came from the metro area. “In past years, as opposition to the I-45 rebuild intensified, hundreds of comments were submitted urging a rethink of the widening plans.”

The office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) provides additional context for the 10-year plan. “Many of the projects in the 2025 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) are roadway segments identified on Texas’ 100 Most Congested Roadways list. Texas Clear Lanes congestion-relief projects will see an increase in funding of $1.9 billion, supporting the $75.8 billion total investment for completed, under-construction, and planned non-tolled projects since 2015. It also includes around a $17.3 billion investment in safety and an additional $1.7 billion in funding for rural corridors and key roadways in economic hubs. A full breakdown is available online.”

A brief Jalopnik article on the state’s plan notes, “If you’re Texan and had any hope of major transit infrastructure expansions, you’re sadly out of luck.” It adds, “Of the billions set aside for highways, just $45.2 million is being given to public transportation for the whole state.”

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Op-Ed: Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Rates Hold Middle Rank In US Tollways Comparison

In a York Daily Record op-ed column, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) chief executive Mark Compton confronts head-on some much-publicized misinformation about the agency’s rates being excessive. PTC fees, he says, are competitive and reasonable in comparison to those charged by other toll entities, noting:

• E-ZPass rates, which are applicable to 86 percent of customers, “rank 24th out of 47 toll agencies and are 20% lower than the national average.”
• Toll-by-Plate rates rank 15th out of 47.
• Overall commercial vehicle rates are 33% lower than the US national average.

Mr. Compton attributes the competitiveness of PTC rates to “strong financial stewardship, controlling operating expenses, managing debt efficiently and implementing innovative ways to generate additional non-toll revenues through asset monetization efforts.”

PTC’s forthcoming transition to an open-road tolling system will have rate implications, as well as promoting traffic mobility and safety, Compton notes. When the first phase of system conversion occurs in January, it will coincide with a statewide move to a standard, uniform per-mile rate structure. Compton emphasizes that the change will keep PTC pricing competitive.

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Kansas Turnpike Urges Drivers To Use Caution At Tollbooth Demolition Sites

KVOE reports, an early Friday morning crash at the Kansas Turnpike’s Emporia interchange prompted the turnpike authority to remind drivers to slow down and exercise caution at locations where obsolete tolling infrastructure is being removed. Police say last week’s incident occurred when the motorist ignored work cones, drove on top of a concrete toll plaza barrier and flipped over. The Kansas Turnpike Authority is demolishing tollbooths and reconfiguring lanes following its July conversion to an all-electronic toll collection system.

KVOE also reports that both the driver and passenger were treated for minor injuries then placed under arrest on charges unrelated to the crash. The 31-year-old driver faces aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery charges. His 35-year-old passenger was booked on an out-of-state fugitive warrant.

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Maine Turnpike's Miles The Moose Goes Airborne

WGME reports, Miles the Moose, the Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) mascot enjoyed a new elevated role when he made his traditional Labor Day holiday appearance on Friday: he waved to passing motorists from the raised basket of an MTA bucket truck. In past years, Miles (and his occasional companion Claudette the Lobster) “would bid [holiday] travelers farewell . . . at the York Toll Plaza, but since that’s now a high-speed plaza, he’s saying ‘hello’ to people on the northbound side of the Kennebunk rest plaza as people come into Maine.”

Miles did come down to earth for part of the day. According to MTA Communications Director Erin Courtney, he posed for photos with people, although canine travelers were typically shying away. He also helped hand out MTA gifts, such as tire pressure gauges and moose antlers.

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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