Texas is showing that it is still the nation’s trailblazer when it comes to toll roads. From a press release from the Texas Department of Transportation:
In just a few weeks, motorists can enjoy an easier, faster, shorter commute in north Austin and Round Rock instead of their daily crawl through congestion. On Nov. 1, approximately 25 miles of the region’s first toll roads will open nearly a year ahead of schedule, the Texas Department of Transportation announced today.
Tollroads often allow new capacity to be built faster than under conventional, tax funded approaches. The revenues can be used to leverage private capital and make the projects attractive for private operators who are more nimble and flexible. In Texas, they go a step further–all new road projects first have to be evaluated based on whether they can be funded through tolls before they can tap into tax revenue.