Blog
Topics « RSS « Archive
| Browse in : |
All
> Blog
> Texas Transportation Forum
(22)
|
Topics :
July 19, 2007
Success for Austin toll roads
 |
| Mainstream media representatives gathered mid-morning to hear from Gerry Neilsten of Stantec (left) and Phil Russell, TxDOT's turnpike director, announce that traffic on the Central Texas Turnpike Project is surpassing original projections. |
 |
| Phil Russell, TxDOT's turnpike director, responds to questions at the news conference Thursday morning. Traffic data indicate more people prefer the driving option offered by the Central Texas Turnpike Project (Loop 1, SH 45,SH 130). |
Log In or Register to comment.
Texans are Voting with Our Steering Wheels
Posted By: TSRT at July 19, 2007 2:25:21 PM
The following statement was released to the media today by Texans for Safe Reliable Transportation Chairman, Joe Krier in response to TxDOT's great-news announcement: “Today's Austin toll road announcement again shows the popularity, necessity and benefits of new toll roads in Texas. “Despite some overheated rhetoric and political hand-wringing, Texans are overwhelmingly voting for toll roads with their steering wheels. More than two million Texans have made the choice to sign-up and install toll tags in their vehicles. “Millions of Texas drivers know that toll roads mean more transportation choices, safety and mobility on our roadways. So the next time a few angry anti-toll activists stage a political protest, remember that millions are Texans are voting for toll roads every day.”
TxDOT fact sheet...CTTP
Posted By: Blogger at July 19, 2007 4:55:24 PM
By the numbers
• The CTTP is a 65-mile turnpike system which includes Loop 1 (3 miles), SH 45 (13 miles) and SH 130 (49 miles).
• Today, 44 miles of the CTTP are open – nearly a year ahead of schedule and more than $400 million under budget.
• In the Austin area, nearly 250,000 TxTags have been activated. Across Texas, there are more than 300,000 activated TxTags
• In May 2007, there was an average of 129,600 toll transactions each weekday on the Central Texas Turnpike Project, which is 63 percent higher than projections.
•
The most recent toll transactions (May 2007) show:
- On Loop 1, the average weekday toll transactions totaled 53,600, which is 30 percent higher than projections.
- On SH 45, average weekday toll transactions totaled 42,900, which is 168 percent higher than projections.
- On SH 130, with only 28 miles open, the average weekday toll transactions totaled 33,100, which is 48 percent higher than projections.
• Since January 2007, approximately 75 percent of toll road customers are paying with TxTag. Based on toll industry trends, it takes approximately 10 - 15 years for mature toll roads to attain this level of usage for electronic toll collection.
• Thru May, the CTTP has earned $9 million, which is used to pay off the bonds.
TxDOT news release...CTTP
Posted By: Blogger at July 19, 2007 4:58:10 PM
JULY 19,2007
Early numbers point to success for Austin toll roads
The state’s flagship toll road – the Central Texas Turnpike Project – is once again setting new records. After just five months of tolling and with only 44 miles open, the turnpike project is surpassing the original 2002 traffic projections.
Traffic data collected in May show that on an average weekday, there were approximately 129,600 toll transactions on the Central Texas Turnpike Project, which is 63 percent higher than the original traffic projections.
“Our report card is in. The Central Texas Turnpike Project is clearly off to a running start,” said Phil Russell, TxDOT’s turnpike director. “This toll road is doing what it was built for – giving motorists another option to get out of the gridlock – which is why so many are making the choice to drive the toll road.”
Traffic data indicate more motorists than expected continue to choose the Central Texas Turnpike Project as their preferred driving option. According to data collected in May, toll transactions on each toll road – Loop 1, SH 45 and SH 130 – are higher than expected when compared to the 2002 projections.
On Loop 1, the average weekday toll transactions totaled 53,600, which is 30 percent higher than projections.
On SH 45, the average weekday toll transactions totaled 42,900, which is 168 percent higher than projections.
On SH 130, with only 28 miles open, the average weekday toll transactions totaled 33,100, which is 48 percent higher than projections.
Traffic on SH 130 is expected to continue climbing as additional segments open later this year to US 71 near the Austin Bergstrom International Airport and to US 183 in southeast Travis County.
Adding to the early success of the CTTP is that more than twice as many motorists than expected are choosing to pay their tolls with TxTag, the state’s electronic toll collection program. Today, more than seven of every 10 weekday transactions are paid with TxTag. Based on toll industry trends, it takes toll authorities approximately 10 to15 years to attain this level of usage for electronic toll collection.
“The use of TxTag on the CTTP is off the charts compared to other toll roads across the country,” said Gerry Neilsten, with the traffic and revenue firm of Stantec. “This kind of tag usage is simply unprecedented for a new toll facility.”
In Austin, nearly 250,000 TxTags have been activated, with several thousand tags set up each week.
Thru May, the CTTP has earned $9 million in revenue, which is used to pay off the bonds.
A
