12/22/2005

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at 12/22/2005

3 comments:

Sal Costello said...

Activists seek injunction to stop U.S. 281 toll project

Web Posted: 12/22/2005 12:00 AM CST

Patrick Driscoll
Express-News Staff Writer

A multi-pronged attack to temporarily stop construction of U.S. 281 toll lanes got under way Wednesday.

Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas and People for Efficient Transportation Inc. filed a motion in federal court to get an injunction, and hope to get a ruling in mid-January.

"Unless we stop this project soon, irreparable damage will be done to this sensitive area and its residences and businesses," said Annalisa Peace, vice president of Aquifer Guardians.

The motion follows a Dec. 2 lawsuit that says the Texas Department of Transportation should have done a full impact study for three miles of frontage roads and toll lanes — 16 lanes at the widest points — to be built on the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone just north of Loop 1604.

TxDOT did a less intensive environmental assessment.

"They have not done as the law requires, which is to engage the community through this environmental impact process," Peace said.

Striking on several fronts, the groups say TxDOT should have done a better job evaluating effects on the aquifer, wildlife, businesses, motorists who will pay tolls or fight increased traffic congestion, and residents facing unhealthy noise levels.

The project would be much less intrusive if officials dropped the toll idea, said Bill Barker, a transportation consultant with Aquifer Guardians. Then they could nix the planned frontage roads, which otherwise are needed under state law to ensure the same number of non-tolled lanes as there are today.

"Once it's explained to the average person what's going on, they're opposed to it," he said.

TxDOT officials won't comment on the litigation but say a wider U.S. 281 is needed to deal with traffic congestion. Gas taxes will fund construction of the three-mile section, but tolls will be added to the express lanes to help pay for other toll roads, including an extension along U.S. 281 to Comal County.

Last month, workers began clearing trees and putting up silt fences to prepare for the construction, which is supposed to start in mid-January.

"We're moving forward until we hear something different," TxDOT engineer Frank Holzmann said.

7:22 AM, December 22, 2005
Sal Costello said...

Letter printed in today's San Antonio Express-News: This guy just touches on the issue!





Drawbacks of toll roads

I would like to add a few facts about toll roads to those Mike Sisley included in his letter "Citizens must fight back" (Dec. 11).

1. The proposed toll of 15 cents per mile is discriminatory against anyone earning $10 per hour or less. It even inflicts a sizable burden on those earning as much as $15 per hour. If your car gets 18 miles per gallon, gasoline is $1.98 per gallon, and you add the proposed toll of 15 cents per mile, it has the same impact as if gasoline were $4.68 per gallon for every mile you drive on those toll roads. Incredible? Do the math.

2. Toll roads will cause at least a 100 percent increase — probably more — in traffic on non-toll roads in the vicinity of the toll road. A few examples are Blanco Road, Bulverde Road, Borgfeld Road, Broadway, McCullough, San Pedro and West Avenue. This will cause major increases in automotive exhaust pollutants in northern parts of San Antonio and Bexar County. Add the extra pollutants generated by the anticipated bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go traffic on the toll-free lanes, and you have created a field day for the EPA.

Is that what citizens of San Antonio, Bexar and surrounding counties really want?

Fred Grohman Jr.,

Spring Branch

8:20 AM, December 22, 2005
Sal Costello said...

XMAS TREAT...

Russia Planned Army of Half-Men, Half Apes

http://acapitolblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/russia-planned-army-of-half-men-half.html

10:05 AM, December 22, 2005

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