CAMPO chair, Texas Senator Gonzales Barrientos, Mayor Will Wynn, and Travis County Commissioner Karen Sonleightern testified in front of the Texas Transportation Commission last night, asking for additional funds, so that they don't have to put a toll on MOPAC highway, over William Cannon.
Barrientos said that CAMPO may need to revisit their vote on this Toll plan (the CTRMA Mobility Plan, which allows for Tolling any new capacity added to exisiting roads in Austin).
This isn't exactly saying they made mistake, but it is admitting that the purpose of the Tolls on exisitng roads was to generate revenue for other road work, not to relieve traffic congestion. CAMPO Project Manager Mike Aulick has already testified and produced supporting studies that clearly show, adding lanes will never catch up fast enough to reduce traffic congestion.
Only an effecitive Alternative Transit plan can do that - Mass Transit with Buses, rail, and/or bike trails can do that. People have to get out of their cars to reduce congestion, and building highways won't encourage anyone to get out of their cars. Capital Metro is responsible for Alaternative Transportation, yet they have failed to do anything more than add a few under-used bus routes, so far.....
Toll Plan story on News 8 Austin:
http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=123213
Barrientos said that CAMPO may need to revisit their vote on this Toll plan (the CTRMA Mobility Plan, which allows for Tolling any new capacity added to exisiting roads in Austin).
This isn't exactly saying they made mistake, but it is admitting that the purpose of the Tolls on exisitng roads was to generate revenue for other road work, not to relieve traffic congestion. CAMPO Project Manager Mike Aulick has already testified and produced supporting studies that clearly show, adding lanes will never catch up fast enough to reduce traffic congestion.
Only an effecitive Alternative Transit plan can do that - Mass Transit with Buses, rail, and/or bike trails can do that. People have to get out of their cars to reduce congestion, and building highways won't encourage anyone to get out of their cars. Capital Metro is responsible for Alaternative Transportation, yet they have failed to do anything more than add a few under-used bus routes, so far.....
Toll Plan story on News 8 Austin:
http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=123213
