Talk of Waco

By Matt

January 30, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

The idea of a toll road, given the amount of traffic in Waco, is, perhaps, one of the most moronic ideas I have ever heard. Does anyone think someone is going to choose to drive in the one toll lane versus the 3 empty free lanes? Anyone think those 3 other lanes stay free for long? This is an obvious money grab and I can 100% assure you that once the road is toll it will never be free again. The people of Illinois still pay for toll roads built during the Eisenhower administration, for example.

I am ashamed of those who voted yes on this.

Finally, prettying up the bridge is a waste of money that should, in no way, be supported with taxpayers money.

By Harold B.

January 30, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Has anyone purposed a mandatory lapse of tolls when the expansion pays for itself.

ex - “… immediately upon the recovery of the full construction cost for the expansion of I35 through Waco, any and all toll booths shall be closed and no further tolls shall be collected. This provisions shall not be amended without 3/4 approval of city boards and local citizens…”

If they are really putting them in because of construction costs then such a provision would keep them honest.

By Stef

January 30, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

What Jim Dunnam said.

Besides, the REAL part that needs expansion is SOUTH of Waco where it’s all two-lane. That’s not to say that Waco doesn’t, but that two-lane nonsense needs to be addressed first…

…right after the long-overdue task of sending Rick Perry and his toll roads back to mobilehoma where both of ‘em belong.

C’mon, Trib. Name some names of the guys who bent over to the whims of a builder’s frivolous bridge project so we know NOT to reelect them.

I’d also like to know which idiot at Baylor actually thought this was a good idea, too. As if the cost of attendance wasn’t already an outrage, you want to make it cost to use part of the one and only main thoroughfare through town? No, sir, you need to be kicked in the pants for being an idiot.

Besides, Waco doesn’t have the volume of traffic necessary to make a toll lane an attractive alternative to the existing free lanes of traffic. We don’t. We’re not a huge city and we’re definitely not affluent enough for residents here to justify spending the extra cash to avoid five minutes of heavyish traffic every day. Not gonna happen.

By Bob

January 30, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

They’ve tried lapsing tolls elsewhere. Lawmakers aren’t honest enough to be held to their word on things like that.

Solution: Don’t add tolls in the first place.

By null

January 30, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

I SAY LET’S REELECT ALL OF OUR REPS MINUS THE THREE WHO VOTED AGAINST, WE CAN SEE WHERE THE BREAD IS BUTTERED. IF THE DEVELOPER DOES NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BUILD HIS BRIDGE, I SURE AS H_ _ _ DON’T WANT TO PAY FOR IT. I ONLY USE I-35 TO GET TO WAL-MART AND TO MY SECOND JOB.

By W. R. Miller

January 30, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

I agree with some of the other comments in that the expansion and developement around Waco is to the west and those sections are two lanes and congested. I would rather see the two lane sections addressed first before we consider expansion to accomodate a developer. It is also my opinion that spending millions of dollars to fancify the bridges to look like the old suspension bridges is a terrible waste. In these hard times with limited funds we need to spend every dollar wisely. We need to choose projects that will accomodate the majority needs rather than someone’s pet project. In the past it has been my experience that most devolper’s come in with pie in the sky promotions, build 1/3 of what they promise, sell out and move on to leave others to pick up the pieces and foot the bill.

By Jim Van Winkle

January 30, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

We need to add a rest area on the toll side of the road. So Waco can keep its reputation as a rest room stop!

By B.T.

January 30, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Tolls are a peculiar necessity. Where I live in San Antonio, the population density is much greater than that of Waco and development is occuring at a greater rate. Nevertheless, TXDOT doesn’t have the funds necessary here to extend the freeway, and the situation is becoming quite probelmatic and even dangerous. As a result, many of us here in San Antonio will welcome tolls if it will just relieve the congestion and make the roads safer.

Waco does not suffer from the same kind of congestion. IH-35 in Waco is more a matter of danger than it is congestion. However, with urban expansion in the major metros, i.e. D/FW, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, etc., Waco’s problems seem to fall low on the priority list. Even the original design for the interchange at Loop 340 and IH-35 was cut down, though it was a generous project to Waco by TXDOT, considering that 281 and 1604 in San Antonio is more highly traveled, more developed, and ten times more congested than the comprable intersection in Waco.

In short, tolls are good for small to midsize cities like Waco, whose development is slower than its major urban counterparts and whose needs inevitably fall below in priority to the needs of the larger and faster growing cities in Texas.

On the other hand, economics says that the tolls will only be worthwhile if there is demand for them. While I would be willing to pay 17 cents per mile to take a new freeway in San Antonio, I would not be willing to do the same in Waco, where the free lanes will still be passable and there are decent alternate routes available.

Finally, in regards to the bridge, I encourage Waco to follow up on this project, but don’t look to TXDOT or the rest of the state to pay for it. Granted, the famous Suspension Bridge that made Waco what it is was funded through tolls, and certainly some tolls could be diverted towards aesthetics, but I feel like the bridge should be built in coopearation with public and private funding by the people of the city of Waco so that it becomes a landmark that Waco can be proud of.

Unfortunately for Waco, IH-35 is not aesthetically pleasing through Waco. In fact, IH-35 is the only impression that most people will ever take away from Waco. They don’t see the lakes or the rivers or the hills or the cliffs that make Waco a special geological place. All they see as they pass by are dilapidated neighborhoods, equipment dealers, junk yards, and old cheap motels. That is the unfortunate impression that most Texans have of Waco. So, even if Waco does not go through with this breathtaking bridge design, there is no doubt that something must be done in order to change the initial impression of Waco, Texas, because it is not very positive at this point in time.

That’s just an outsider’s view.

By Garrett Dee

January 30, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

I definatly concur w/ alot of these points. When I HAVE to drive through toll roads up in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, it just p** me off, to no end. (I understand that their are alot of drivers up there…but here?!) We ain’t got NEAR as many people as they do. I guarantee that if this asinine idea passes, I aint gonna drive on it. It’s called FM 933.

By B

January 30, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

There are many intelligent responses posted here. Waco does not and will not anytime soon have the traffic count going through it to warrant adding an additional lane, espically a toll lane to I-35. More focus should be on the Loop 340 expansion project in East Waco, a sufficent alternate route around Waco, should I-35 back up. Plus, it will encourage Waco devlopment east of Baylor.

I do agree that south of Waco, I-35 needs to be expanded to 6 free lanes from Waco to Georgetown. This should be a priority project for the state and federal govt. From what I’ve seen, so far no construction has started near Waco or Temple, only near Georgetown. This is unfortunate.

Regarding the aesthetic suspension bridge, I like the idea, but with the tight funding and other priority projects, the govt. should not fund the costs of the aesthetics. I do agree that the current bridge is getting old, and a new one will be needed eventually, so why not replace it with a more modern design now? And why not make it an ACTUAL suspension bridge, with a modernized design (too expensive?)? If it wasn’t really a suspension bridge and aesthetics were simply added, people would probably mock it as fake and it wouldn’t be anything special. However, if they want to privatly fund aesthetics to place on a normal bridge, then more power to them.

By Steven

January 30, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Hello WACO! Waco is my hometown, but unfortuately I live in Spring at this time. Well the toll road can be a good thing. The funds should be used for the entire upkeep of I-35 in Waco and for Waco only!
You know, Waco has this big problem. Most travelers think of Waco as a “restroom” break. They have no clue as to it’s wonderful people, beautiful lake and parks, and it’s resturants.

I’m sure at lot of people will be mad at me, but your biggest problem is the idoit Gov Rick Perry whom took forever to deal with the “p**” tasting water from the dairies up north. I’ve heard over and over again about the nasty drinking water Waco has. Anyway, what I-35 really needs is a 4th LANE as well as a toll road! And of course a new bridge. Trust me, this bridge will slow down the “speeders” and actually increase tourist to the downtown area.

I rather be looking at an awesome brige, then some old junkyard, or a rundown motel.

By WakeUpWaco

January 30, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

C’mon you people! This attitude of not wanting to spend money or do nothing is why Waco is where it’s at today… Most people are stopping in Waco, just to take a “dump”. What is wrong with change? What’s wrong with progress? Absolutely NOTHING? Waco this is your chance to make change and you guys get to call the shots on this! Show off this wonderful city!! It’s Waco time to shine!

Better yourselves, Better your community, Better your city and please stop whinning!!

And for the ones who are against chance, well the rock is still in its same place…..go crawl back under it.

Love ya Waco

By Come on Waco

January 30, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

Some well to do comes to Waco and probably lives at Million Dollar Hill dangles a picture of a new bridge and Waco laps it up like its honey. Show me the money, show me who’s really behind this, show me who cares!!! We have a sunken boat, a sink hole, half completed riverwalk, empty downtown buildings, nasty muddy river that can be guarranteed to either be up or down. We have been told we cannot expand I-35 due to no room to do so. I don’t get it. This bridge would look like a gold capped tooth in a mouth with only a few teeth. I agree with Jim Dunham, STUPID!!

By LL

January 30, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Just use the money that Waco waste on such projects as Cottonwood Creek Golf Course. At least the tax payers, even the non-golfer like myself, would be getting something out of their money. The toll roads in Austin are already a joke. I can’t imagaine what they would be like in Waco. The other night we were on a toll road in Austin, quite by accident (poor signs). When we got to the place to pay, you either had to have a prepaid tag, or exact change. There was no one in the third booth to take our money. A week later we got a bill in the mail for $1.60 explaining that we had not paid the toll. It wasn’t because we didn’t try. I have lived in Waco my entire life. We just need to try and fix the long time outstanding problems. We don’t need to start any new projects until this is done.

By JACK

January 30, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH TOLLS, I LIVE IN OKLAHOMA NOW AND EVERYWHERE YOU GO IS TOLLS. THEY KEEP UP THE ROADS AND ALL YOU NEED IS A PASS ON YOUR CAR TO FLY RIGHT THROUGH. QUIT COMPLAINING TOLLS ARE FINE AND WILL HELP IN THE LONG TERM.

By WacoWakeUp!

January 30, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

I have had to live in this asinine community for 4 years and it just keeps getting better. Since you couldn’t get everyone to go along with the ridiculous statue, instead you will make a toll road and build a bridge you don’t need?!? Wake up! Until this community puts funds into projects that really matter (like raising test scores in Waco schools) your “beautification” projects are just another pitiful attempt to appear like a normal American town instead of one that is mired 50 years in the past. Waco has some serious problems, and a bridge certainly isn’t going to help it. If I am still here and this plan goes forward I assure you I will find an alternate route just so I know my money is not going into these pointless projects.
And a note to “Jack” about Oklahoma. I experienced first hand your state’s fabulous use of toll road funds for upkeep of Interstate 44 last year after a snowstorm. Missouri roads were clear right up to Oklahoma’s state line, at which point the highway was suddenly snow and ice covered. It took 5 hours to get to Tulsa (should have been about 2) and I didn’t see a single plow at any point. In fact, it was so bad that the 2nd toll plaza wasn’t even open. Yep, sounds like you fit right in here in Waco.

By Waco We Don't

January 30, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

I challenge everyone in Waco to find out exactly how the City of Waco is spending (wasting) your tax dollars. It is public record. Go look it up for yourself! Man, will you be so surprised!!!

By Losers

January 31, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

To all of the idoits not wanting to pay for improvement for I-35, you really need a reality check. Some of you complain about the schools, hmm will get off you a_hole and do something! I seen some of you parents in Waco….and please, stop adding to the problem by turn the other cheek. Your problems are with the lack of community involvement!

Waco is starting to really grow, and it’s time to get I-35 update! This money will be use for the upkeep for that part of the interstate…DING DONGS!!!

And for the other complainers about the Brazos River, please do your research. Do you even remember what it was like before the dam was ever built? The engineers knew there would be a hugh buildup of silt. But did Waco even do anything about it? Of course not. Most cities use dredging equipment! Oh, did you even think it will create some NEW jobs? WOW! Bet you didn’t even think “outside” the box.

Waco apparently has a very large “tight” wad citizens.