STATESMAN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Toll Road on 290 at the "Y" costs more that a free road. There is also at least $76 million of taxpayer funds already allocated to any new construction (not to mention the millions of right of way costs we've already paid for over the decades). And once again, shifting freeways to tollways has never taken place in the U.S. (Except for Gov. Perry's Freeway Toll SH 121 in Dallas. SH 121 Toll should have opened as a freeway. It was 100% fully funded with tax dollars and it opens this week). Here's the letters to the editor today:

STATESMAN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Saturday, December 02, 2006

Why we're against TxDot's design

Asher Price and the American-Statesman have done a great service for Oak Hill neighborhoods by giving front-page exposure to our alternative to the Texas Department of Transportation's 12-lane toll road on U.S. 290 West (Nov. 29 article, "Report: Widen road, but protect creek").

The article correctly stressed the environmental argument against the state's design, but we are not just a bunch of tree-huggers. The Fix290 concept started with a few concerned neighbors gathered around a dining room table in Oak Hill, and we grew because our idea made sense to a broad diversity of people throughout Hays and Travis counties.

We are still just a group of citizen volunteers in a David and Goliath battle, and we appreciate all the help we can get in telling our story.

CAROL CESPEDES
Fix 290 Coalition
Austin

Neighborhoods have a better plan

I strongly support the Fix290 Coalition's plan, which takes the environment into account and actually offers a solidly viable alternative to the state's plan.

JOSEPH ROBLES
San Marcos

Tolls are the only losers in alternate plan

Thank you for the article on the proposed parkway solution for U.S. 290.

There are traffic problems in our neck of the woods, but the proposed tollway solution is not the right one for this area. The Fix290 Coalition's parkway idea is about perfect — more cars through, yet still plenty of access for local business. And it comes in at a cheaper price, so that tolls are not needed.

Commuters win, local businesses win the environment wins. So, who loses? Tolls.

COREY HORTON
Austin

Tolls are too expensive for some people

The pro-toll road legislators argue that user-fees such as tolls are fair and equitable. I would argue that toll roads are fair and equitable only for those wealthy enough. If I cannot afford the road, then I'm really not being offered a choice of whether to drive on it.

If, however, I am paying a general tax (which also curtails my spending choices) at the least I can choose what I do not want to spend my money on.

I would rather pay an open tax and be free to curtail any of my expenses: beer, clothes, tires, as well as toll roads.

BILL BROCK
Austin