Honkin' Mad

Update on Perry transportation appointments

FORT WORTH — Bill Meadows’ reputation as a political bridge builder is one reason he was selected Wednesday to serve on the Texas Transportation Commission — and he’ll be put to the test immediately, pitching toll roads to a skeptical public and distrustful state Legislature.

<---Meadows

Gov. Rick Perry announced Wednesday that he had appointed Meadows, a long-time Fort Worth civic leader and former four-term City Council member, to one of two openings on the commission.

Perry --->

The five-member governing body oversees the Texas Department of Transportation and is responsible for mapping out a plan to reduce gridlock, even as Texas’ population is expected to explode over the next 50 years. Perry also appointed his former chief of staff, Deirdre Delisi, as commission chairwoman.  Meadows and Delisi will begin serving immediately, although their appointments must be confirmed by the state Senate in 2009. Their terms end Feb. 1, 2013.

Delisi --->

Meadows, who resigned his North Texas Tollway Authority board seat Wednesday shortly after his state appointment was made official, said toll roads aren’t the answer to every traffic problem. But, he said Texans need to get the message about the state’s bleak highway funding situation. Highways have traditionally been supported by gas taxes, but those funds haven’t kept pace with the cost of building roads. “Properly explained, I think the public will accept toll roads, particularly if we are careful and clear in explaining what the future capacity needs are going to be,” Meadows said. “The fact is this state is going to grow dramatically in the next 50 years. There are projections that put the population at 40 million people in 2060. We’re going to have to work hard to provide additional capacity to serve that sort of population growth.”

Influence in Austin

Meadows is the first Fort Worth resident to serve on the commission since Robert M. Bass was a member in 1986-87. Tarrant County leaders praised the appointment, saying they hope Meadows’ influence will speed up construction of projects such as Southwest Parkway, a proposed toll road from downtown to southwest Fort Worth, and new toll and nontoll lanes on Interstate 35W, Loop 820 and Airport Freeway. “Bill has a great sense of humor, which will help him on that board,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, a longtime friend and hunting buddy of Meadows.  “He’s got tremendous energy, focus and determination. On top of all that, he’s a pretty good shot. He understands how to put a target between the crosshairs and keep it there.”

<---Moncrief

A few years ago, Meadows persuaded the Plano-based tollway authority to build Southwest Parkway with extra landscaping and other amenities, so it would blend in with Fort Worth’s older neighborhoods, said state Sen. Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth. Meadows also was a calming influence during the past two years, as the tollway authority and state transportation department fueded over which agency should be responsible for building Metroplex toll roads. Meadows is well-known in Tarrant County, Brimer said. But he added: “I think his service on the tollway authority proved to the east side of the Metroplex he was a good, fair man to work with.”

Playing defense

Brimer --->

Meadows and Delisi must quickly prepare to defend the transportation department before the Sunset Review Commission, which periodically examines state agencies to determine if they’re still relevant. For the transportation department, that process hits high gear in July. Critics say it won’t be easy for Delisi, a staunch Perry supporter. “Rick Perry had to go in-house to find somebody, another bulldog,” said Linda Curtis of Bastrop, founder of Independent Texans, a group of self-described independent voters that opposes toll roads.

<---Curtis

Curtis said many candidates for state offices are finding favor with voters by speaking out against toll roads, especially the controversial Trans-Texas Corridor, a proposed statewide tollway network. The transportation department would be wise to recognize that trend and reverse its pursuit of toll roads, she said. “It’s going to continue to be a huge issue, and there is going to be a breaking point,” she said. “Either they are going to just force this thing on Texans, or people of this state are going to find some avenue for making a change.”

But Delisi said in a phone interview that criticisms about toll roads are a byproduct of tackling a tough problem — how to pay for roads, to accommodate population and economic growth, without raising taxes. “Our transportation infrastructure and how we’re going to build it and pay for it are very difficult challenges that need to be addressed,” she said. “I think it’s what is reflected in the debate between the Legislature and the agency. My goal and what I’ve committed to the governor and other member of the Legislature is I intend to work with them to solve these problems through open dialog, creative thinking and hard work.”

GORDON DICKSON, 817-685-3816

New transportation blood

Bill Meadows of Fort Worth and Deirdre Delisi of Austin were appointed Wednesday to the Texas Transportation Commission. Meadows replaces Ric Williamson of Weatherford, who died in late December. Delisi replaces Hope Andrade of San Antonio, whose term expired in February.

Bill Meadows

Experience: Insurance executive, chairman of Hub International Rigg; vice chairman of the North Texas Tollway Authority (resigned Wednesday); former Texas Water Development Board member; four-term Fort Worth City Council member and mayor pro tempore; served on many other boards and foundations.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Southwestern University; attended Harlaxton Institute, Grantham, England.

In his words: “I think anybody would recognize it’s a job that is going to be very challenging. The fact is, transportation is as fundamental of a public service as there is to the state of Texas. We clearly have some challenges in that arena. I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in transportation over the last 18 years, from a local government perspective. I’ve enjoyed the transportation arena but more importantly I recognize its significance to the citizens of the state.”

Deirdre Delisi 

Experience: Former chief of staff, Gov. Rick Perry; former policy advisor to Lamar Alexander and George W. Bush presidential campaigns.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Duke University; master’s degree, Stanford University.

In her words: “The mission from TxDot hasn’t changed. The goals of the agency and commission are to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and maintain the assets we have on the ground. The governor’s marching orders are for me to maintain the course.”

What the guv says

Gov. Rick Perry’s statement about Meadows and Delisi:

“I am confident their contribution to the commission will maintain the momentum of the late Commissioner Ric Williamson’s pioneering vision, and secure comprehensive transportation solutions that will reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and keep our state’s doors open to economic growth and success.”

Comments from Deirdre Delisi by phone

The appointment of Bill Meadows and Deirdre Delisi to the Texas Transportation Commission must be confirmed by the state Senate in early 2009 -- but in the meantime, they can begin serving immediately and have full voting privileges.

Here's what Delisi had to say this afternoon:

"The mission from TxDot hasn’t changed. The goals of the agency and commission are to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and maintain the assets we have on the ground. The governor's marching orders are for me to maintain the course."

Asked about a growing distrust of TxDot among some lawmakers, Delisi said she believes criticisms of the agency are a byproduct of tackling a tough problem:

"Our transportation infrastructure and how we're going to build it and pay for it are very difficult challenges that need to be addressed. I think it's what is reflected in the debate between the Legislature and the agency. My goal and what I’ve committed to the governor and other member of the Legislature is I intend to work with them to solve these problems through open dialog, creative thinking and hard work."

Meadows will resign from NTTA today

A comment from Bill Meadows about his appointment to the Texas Transportation Commission:

"I think anybody would recognize it’s a job that is going to be very challenging. The fact is, transportation is as fundamental of a public service as there is to the state of Texas. We clearly have some challenges in that arena. I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in transportation over the last 18 years, from a local government perspective. I've enjoyed the transportation arena but more importantly I recognize its significance to the citizens of the state."

What about becoming a pitch man for the state's toll road program?

"Properly explained, I think the public will accept toll roads, particularly if we are careful and clear in explaining what the future capacity needs are going to be. The fact is this state is going to grow dramatically in the next 50 years. There are projections that put the population at 40 million people in 2060. We're going to have to work hard to provide additional capacity to serve that sort of population growth."

But Meadows also quickly added that toll roads aren't necessarily the solution in every corner of the state ...

Meadows and Delisi will serve through Feb. 1, 2013

The appointments are now official. A statement from Gov. Rick Perry about the appointment of Bill Meadows and Deirdre Delisi to the Texas Transportation Commission:

“Texas faces serious challenges in providing a transportation infrastructure that will sustain our state’s rapid pace of population and trade growth,” said Gov. Perry. “Both Deirdre and Bill have the integrity and expertise to ensure that these needs are met efficiently and responsibly. I am confident their contribution to the commission will maintain the momentum of the late Commissioner Ric Williamson’s pioneering vision, and secure comprehensive transportation solutions that will reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and keep our state’s doors open to economic growth and success.”

Fort Worth man tapped for transportation post

Long-time Fort Worth civic leader Bill Meadows will be appointed today to the Texas Transportation Commission, several sources say. He'll be the first Fort Worth guy to hold the post since Robert M. Bass in 1986-87. Meadows is an insurance executive and former four-term member of the Fort Worth City Council.

He's also served on the North Texas Tollway Authority board since 2004, and is widely credited with being a voice of reason as that agency engaged in a power struggle with the Texas Department of Transportation over which entity should take the lead in building toll roads to relieve choking gridlock in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Gov. Rick Perry is expected to announce the appointment Wednesday afternoon. Perry also will appoint his former chief of staff, Deirdre Delisi, to the transportation commission, despite opposition from Austin lawmakers who argued earlier this year that Delisi would be a polarizing force. Delisi is expected to champion the governor's call for market forces and private investment in Texas roads, including toll roads -- a philosophy that many lawmakers oppose.

Meadows' appointment, however, is widely supported, several North Texas legislators say.

The Texas Transportation Commission governs the Texas Department of Transportation and is the state's primary force in planning how people and goods will move across the state in the coming decades. The commission also is responsible for guiding the planning process of the controversial Trans-Texas Corridor, a proposed statewide network of toll roads, rail lines and utilities.

Tarrant County officials are excited about Meadows' appointment, saying he will help focus the state's attention on solving the increasingly poor congestion problems in the western portion of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Once the appointment is official, Meadows is expected to resign his board position on the North Texas Tollway Authority, another state agency that is based in Plano and oversees the Metroplex tollway system. The Tarrant County Commissioner's Court would select a replacement for Meadows on that board.

In Austin, the appointments of Meadows and Delisi would fill two vacancies on the state commission created by the December death of commission chairman Ric Williamson of Weatherford, and the expired term of commissioner Hope Andrade of San Antonio.

Avoid downtown Dallas like the plague Sunday

Orange barrel alert for I-30 in Dallas. Read more HERE.

Crumbling roads could doom America's future

The U.S. will lose its global competitive edge unless the nation's roads, bridges and the rest of the transportation grid receive a major infusion of cash, a report released today warns.
Read the Urban Land Institute press release HERE.
Or, read the full report HERE. (68 pages)

As if the news about rising gas prices didn't depress you enough ...

Two more toll roads in the works

Environmental studies approved by the federal government years ago for future freeway extensions of Texas 170 near Alliance Airport and Texas 360 in Arlington/Mansfield will be updated so the projects may be built as toll roads.
The Texas Department of Transportation, which owns the right-of-way and existing frontage roads for both projects, on Tuesday gave the North Texas Tollway Authority permission to conduct the environmental studies. The roads have already passed environmental muster once before, but federal law requires that the records be updated if a project is changed from a freeway to a toll road, a state official said.
The roads are among more than a dozen projects the tollway authority intends to undertake in the coming years to improve mobility in the Metroplex.
The transportation department also asked the tollway authority to provide a timeline for conducting a market valuation of both roads. State law requires the two agencies to mutually agree on a valuation — or dollar value — before a road can be built as a toll project. Why? In many cases, tolls can be used to pay for not only the road in question, but also other roads in the region. GORDON DICKSON, 817-685-3816

Does police radar make highways safer?

This morning on eastbound 121/183 in Hurst, I was surprised at how well traffic was moving. Airport Freeway was packed, yet everyone was moving at about the same 60 mph. Compared to a typical morning mash-up, it was a true driving pleasure. I realized why things were going so well as I approached Brown Trail, where a police car was parked on the left shoulder. The officer wasn't attempting to hide, and appeared to be parked there just to ensure everyone behaved.
Makes me wonder if the cities around here ought to pool their money and focus on patrolling during rush hour. Seems that'd be a more efficient way of improving gridlock, maximizing the space on freeways, reducing air pollution, etc. And, even if the officers were paid double-time for their efforts, it'd be a heckuva a lot cheaper than building new lanes.

Gridlock and accidents happen when people who want to drive 75 are forced to share space with people who want to drive 60. In the absence of a police presence, these drivers collide -- or nearly collide -- causing a sea of brake lights. And for the rest of the morning everyone is forced to drive 30. A stronger police presence -- not to hassle people, but as a deterrent -- could fix this problem.

Thoughts?

Pic: www.brightbambini.com

That's not Peter Falk. That's not Columbo!

People will believe what they want to believe. I choose to believe that last week's supposed sighting of Peter Falk walking dazed in Beverly Hills is at best a terrible case of mistaken identity, or at worst a paparazzi hoax. Peter Falk is the genius behind television's greatest all-time character, Lt. Columbo. Since this is a transportation blog, here's an image of his famed car, the beautifully rugged 1959 Peugeot Cabriolet.

The Daily Mail, TMZ and FoxNews have reported that Falk was spotted acting erratically, and that police were called to the scene but left without further incident.

Falk's is a spry 80 years old. He hasn't spent a good deal of time in the limelight in recent years, but he looked awfully good to me in this 2005 appearance with Paul Reiser (left):

Tell me, is that guy the same guy supposedly spotted on the L.A. street here(right)?

The facial features aren't even close. I demand a retinal eye scan! Where's Homeland Security when you need 'em?!?

To paraphrase the words of the great lieutenant, who solved 69 murders ... most recently in the 2003 episode "Columbo Likes the Nightlife" ... "It's the little details that bother me. I can't get them out of my head. I can't sleep at night."

"Just one more thing"

Something isn't right about this. Until I see further proof, I refuse to smudge the good name of my TV hero, and ask that everyone keep an open mind about this.

Sweet, clean (and free) coffee mugs available

One of our loyal readers, thebigpurplefrog, is really enjoying his HONKIN' MAD  coffee mug, as you can tell from this cellphone photo. Mmmm ...

Wanna a HONKIN' MAD! mug of your own? They're FREE as can be. All you gotta do is send an e-mail to ... gdickson@star-telegram.com ... and agree to post at least three items on the HONKIN' MAD! blog. Yes, we do this on the honor system. Readers may just post a comment to an existing blog item, or those who want to post a new topic may send any thoughts to the above e-mail address and I'll  post 'em for you.

Hey 'frog, is that regular or decaf dripping down the side of your mug?

Who's On First ???

No matter where you stand politically, a funny photo is a funny photo ... right?

I say that because this confusing photo (Turn left! No, yield! No, Stop!) comes from a dude with a neat-O blog in Wise County. The forum is called Liberally Lean From The Land Of Dairy Queen. It can be found at http://skattershooting.blogspot.com/

... It really doesn't have much to do with transportation, other than this great shot. Thanks to Star-Telegram columnist, food critic and all around news savant Bud Kennedy for pointing it out.

Happy to be HONKIN' MAD!

Coffee tastes better in a FREE HONKIN' MAD! coffee mug!

Just ask loyal HONKIN' MAD! blog readers Kimberly Norton and Jamie Terrell. They're regular readers, and giving them a free HONKIN' MAD! Coffee Mug is our way of saying Thank You.

Wanna mug of your own? Just send a note to gdickson@star-telegram.com ... All you gotta do is ask for one, and agree to become a regular contributor to our little online forum. All we ask in return is that you contribute at least three items to the blog, either by posting a comment to an existing blog item, or by sending an e-mail to the above address expressing a thought, concern, etc., about Dallas-Fort Worth traffic ... Start by sending me a note. We're building online readership and we're glad to have you.

HONKIN' MAD! about the quirks of red light cameras

North Texas is awash in red light cameras. Watch this HANDY DANDY Video that explores some tips on how to navigate them.

Finally, a deal for 161 that may stick

By GORDON DICKSON gdickson@star-telegram.com
The Texas Department of Transportation and North Texas Tollway Authority have reached a deal for Texas 161 in Grand Prairie, ending a tense week of negotiations and greatly improving the odds the toll road will be partly open for the Dallas’ Cowboys’ planned 2009 move to Arlington.
The tollway authority will pay $458 million above the cost of construction and keep the road as part of its Dallas-area toll system. The North Texas region will use the money for other road work. After 52 years, the tollway authority will split any surpluses from tolls collected on the road with the region 50-50.
The tollway authority is expected to call an emergency board meeting this weekend to ratify the deal, which was hashed out Friday afternoon in a bargaining session. Several key state lawmakers, including state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, served as mediators.
Now that the agreement has been reached, Metroplex officials are reasonably certain they can get the toll road at least partly complete between Texas 183 and Interstate 20 by late summer 2009, when the Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to move into their new Arlington stadium. Texas 161 will serve as a southwestern extension of the tollway authority’s President George Bush Turnpike and will be a crucial gateway to the Arlington entertainment district. It’ll also be a crucial cog in the region’s plan for moving people in and out of the 2011 Super Bowl and its many parties and other satellite events that likely will be held in cities across Dallas-Fort Worth. And, on any given workday, the toll road also will be a crucial reliever route for Texas 360 in Arlington, which runs parallel to Texas 161 about two miles to the west.
“We’re very pleased the project is moving forward,” transportation department spokesman Christopher Lippincott said. Transportation department officials would have preferred that private developers lease the toll project but bent to the region’s wishes, he said. “We heard the region tell us they wanted to build it now, build it as a toll road. We heard the region say, ‘We prefer that the NTTA build it, even if it means leaving money on the table.’ We’ve honored those three requests.”
Friday’s agreement ended a tense week of negotiations over how much the road was worth, and whether the deal should be a 52 lease or a permanent transfer of the road from the state highway system to the tollway authority. The road is one of precious few "cash positive" toll projects in the North Texas region, meaning that the road is capable of generating enough toll revenue to pay for other, less lucrative road work in the area.
Work crews with contractor Williams Brothers of Houston have been in town all week and were scheduled to get the project underway on Wednesday. But then the negotiations broke down, and the dirt-turning was put on hold. State officials expect the contractor to get formal permission to begin work on Monday, or by mid-week. It may take a day or two for workers and their machinery to be working at full speed along the 11-mile corridor. “We’re good with it. We felt it was a good deal,” said Regional Transportation Council chairman Oscar Trevino, who sat in on the Friday meeting. “It meets the extended deadline and gets 161 in as a toll road.”
GORDON DICKSON, 817-685-3816

Not your father’s driver’s ed course

Teen-agers can get a taste of real-world emergency driving situations Saturday at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth. The Tire Rack Street Survival course is a day-long event that aims to give young drivers tips on how to avoid or respond to road dangers. “It’s about dropping two wheels off the pavement and knowing what to do about it,” said Bill Wade, national program manager for Tire Rack Street Survival. “We teach them the concept of vehicle dynamics, weight transfer. We handle it lightly so it doesn’t overwhelm the kids, but we’re teaching them what to do when an emergency happens and how to avoid putting themselves in a bad position.”
What to expect:

• Participants bring their own cars.

• Courses are taught by instructors from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including members of car clubs such as the course’s main sponsor: BMW Car Club of America.

• Instructors ride with participants, and guide them through maneuvers on a closed course, usually in a vacant parking lot. Techniques include: skid control, which is usually performed on a paved area soaked with soapy water; lane changing and accident avoidance; anti-lock braking; and slalom course driving.

• Classroom instruction includes proper seating and hand positions; mirror placement; theories of weight transfer and tire contact points; long-distance vision and situational awareness.

Street Survival
Online registration is required for those who want to take the Tire Rack Street Survival driving course. Go to www.streetsurvival.org.
Who: Licensed or permit-holding drivers ages 16-21.
When: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: LaGrave Field, NE Sixth at N. Calhoun streets, North Fort Worth
How much: $60
More info: Go online or call 864-329-1919.

Free Coffee Mug 4 U ... Yes U!!!

Kimberly Norton, who lives in southwest Fort Worth, is a loyal HONKIN' MAD! blog reader ... so we sent her a free HONKIN' MAD! coffee mug as our li'l way of saying Thank You.

Wanna a mug of your own? Simply post three items on this blog -- either by e-mailing a post to gdickson@star-telegram.com or by posting a comment to an existing item -- and it's yours !!!

E-mails from the 161 standoff

An exchange of e-mails sent Wednesday night between North Texas Tollway Authority executive director Jorge Figueredo and Texas Department of Transportation executive director Amadeo Saenz, with e-mail addresses and cc's redacted at the request of the person who provided them to me:

Amadeo, Thank you for your e-mail. As we spoke previously, the ntta proposal which included three alternatives expires tonight at midnight. The ntta proposal alternative #2 was adopted by the rtc yesterday and communicated to txdot as the preferred alternative of the region. Ntta strongly requests that txdot accept the rtc recommendation and alternative #2 prior to tonight's transportation commission deadline. Thank you for your consideration. Jorge.

Jorge As we discussed we have requested our contractor to not begin work until Monday so as to all time for consideration of the offer outlined in my letter of today. I realize this is still a short time frame but it is imperative that the project work begin in order to meet the commitments made by the region concerning this project.TxDot letter TxDot proposal

Sent: 4/16/2008 6:45:17 PM Subject: Response to Amadeo Saenz Letter of 4-16-08 regarding SH 161 NTTA proposals Amadeo: Attached is an URGENT response from the NTTA regarding your letter received at approximately 5:30 p.m. today regarding the MOU and Transmittal letter for the SH 161 project. A hard copy will follow. Thanks Jorge Figueredo NTTA response

Updated version of 161 saga

BY GORDON DICKSON

gdickson@star-telegram.com

Just when it seemed progress was being made on Texas 161, the long-awaited toll road project in Grand Prairie hit another snag Wednesday night.

Work was supposed to begin Thursday on the road between Texas 183 and Interstate 20, in hopes of getting it ready in time for the opening of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington by 2009.

But that dirt-turning was postponed until Monday at the earliest after officials from the Texas Department of Transportation and North Texas Tollway Authority again failed to reach an agreement.

"If either party is hurting the ability to get this project to construction, or ensuring the project is a toll road, we would have a concern," Michael Morris, transportation director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, said Wednesday night.

Morris was not involved in the negotiations Wednesday. But on Tuesday, the Regional Transportation Council that Morris oversees narrowly endorsed the Plano-based tollway authority's proposal to set the value of Texas 161 at $548 million -- above the actual cost of construction. That money would be borrowed from bond sales and given to the North Texas region for use on other projects, provided that the Texas Department of Transportation allowed the tollway authority to keep the road in perpetuity and make it a part of the region's tollway system.

But the Texas Department of Transportation on Wednesday evening balked at the prospect of accepting the tollway authority's terms, and instead sent a counter-proposal that limited the agreement to 52 years.

The tollway authority promptly rejected the change.

Both agencies had been working under a midnight deadline to set a value for the toll road. The transportation department initially said that if their deadline wasn't met the road would become a gas-tax supported road, not a toll road, which would cost the North Texas region hundreds of millions of dollars. But Wednesday night, agency spokesman Christopher Lippincott said the agency would be willing to extend the deadline to Monday to give the parties time to talk.

But tollway officials insisted their offer would expire.

If the tollway authority doesn't take the project, the transportation department could lease the road to private developers for up to 52 years. And, TxDot's Dallas district engineer, Bill Hale, has said those developers have promised to pay up to $1.5 billion to the region to take over Texas 161, which is considered a crucial north-south connection in the spine of the Metroplex and an alternate route to congested Texas 360.

But a private developer would be required to use the tollway authority's TollTag electronic toll collection system, which would require more negotiations between the agencies whose leaders appear to be growing increasingly distrustful of each other.

The setback for the proposed 11-mile road raises questions about whether work can be complete in time for the 2009 football season and, even more importantly, the 2011 Super Bowl.

"Our offer expires at midnight," tollway executive director Jorge Figueredo said. "I was very hopeful and I thought the region had spoken and we were going forward with this project. I was very disappointed that TxDot didn't follow the lead of the region. I still want to deliver the project."

But TxDot's Lippincott said there is still time to negotiate. "We had an agreement that includes business terms of 52 years. If they can do it in 52 years we've got a deal. We feel like that reflects the previous discussion. We've got significant pressure not only from the community but from the RTC. We've heard the region's wishes. We want to give it to the NTTA even if it means we don't get the maximum amount, even if they basically get a discount."

Gordon Dickson, 817-685-3816

161 Clear As Mud ... Last minute snag over toll road

Just when it seemed progress was being made on Texas 161, the long-awaited toll road project hit another snag this evening.

The Texas Department of Transportation and North Texas Tollway Authority were expected to agree today on the value of the road, a step that assures it gets built as a toll road -- not a gas-tax supported road -- and is at least partially open by the time the Dallas Cowboys move into their new Arlington stadium in late summer 2009.

But then officials from the two agencies, who it's fair to say have lost no love while negotiating this project during the past year, fired off last-minute proposals at each other that appeared to be meant to delay the progress.

Read TxDot's proposal here and here.

Read NTTA's proposal here and here.

The Texas Transportation Commission originally said that if the two sides hadn't agreed on a value for Texas 161 by midnight tonight the road would be built as a tax road ... and Metroplex commuters would lose out on potentially hundreds of millions of dollars that both sides agree the road can generate for other road work in the region.

NTTA says it's final offer is a $548 value for the road, over and above the cost of construction between Texas 183 in Irving and Interstate 20 in Grand Prairie. NTTA also wants the road taken off the highway system and turned over to the tollway's system, which includes the President George Bush Turnpike and Dallas North Tollway, in perpetuity (forever, in other words).

TxDot would rather have private firms lease the road for 52 years. TxDot's Dallas district engineer, Bill Hale, says private companies were offering to pay up to $1.5 billion for the project, give or take a few mil, before NTTA stepped in. Plus, after the 52-year period, the state would get the road back and could re-lease it for more mulah.

DFW leaders endorse giving highway 161 to tollway authority

The toll road in Grand Prairie would generate $548 million for other area road work.READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE.

No cuts, no buts, no coconuts

I drive to work from 360 N to Grapevine and then cross over to hit 114 to get into Southlake. There really has not been a whole lot to report when I have been in those areas. This morning someone just had to keep driving faster and faster while I was trying to get onto 360, not letting me on the freeway. I managed to slow down enough to get on. I never understand why people have to do that. It is rather annoying. And then once I get on 114 and exit Kimball, drive to the light and hang a left, I become annoyed once again because there are two lanes to turn left from and the outer lane to turn left must be the “I can do whatever I want to lane” because people make that left turn and most of the time make it so that you can barely get into the inner left lane you are turning into. Most annoying. Another annoying hot spot is once you take the Green Oaks exit off 360 S. I have to get in the far right lane which is not a problem, but once you get over there during rush hour traffic going home, so many people think that they are entitled to cut in front of you or you should let them in front of you or something rather than waiting their turn in line to make that right at Green Oaks Blvd. It is really bad right there. Maybe tonight’s drive home will be a nicer gentler one. Zoom Zarate

Is commuter rail really good for Earth?

Read this skeptical report from the Cato Institute.
Author Randal O'Toole

Fewer Cowtown commuters running red lights

Many people hate red light cameras, but Fort Worth officials say they are curbing red light violations. Read Mike Lee's report HERE.

Bad driving, littering ...

This fine specimen of North Texas driver cut me off this morning on southbound U.S. 377 north of Loop 820 in Haltom City ... then flicked a cigarette out the driver side window. To report littering, visit www.dontmesswithtexas.org ... When you see someone tossing anything out of a vehicle, jot down the time, location and license plate number and car make and model (If you can do so safely, of course!). The Texas Department of Transportation will send the registered owner a letter reminding him or her that littering is illegal ... Oh, and a complimentary trash bag, too!
If you're the owner of this Ford Escape and you're mad about me posting this picture on the HONKIN' MAD! blog, give me a call at 817-685-3816 and we can talk about it.

p.s. I know, I know. I gotta get my cracked windshield fixed.

Personal info on police accident reports

Police in many Texas cities will stop placing your phone number on accident reports. READ MORE HERE
Pic: www.artsjournal.com

Video: Tarrant's busiest freeway can't get any luv

Watch this week's HONKIN' MAD! video, which explores why Airport Freeway has fallen through the highway funding cracks and gives you a heads-up about other traffic stuff comin' your way this week.

Avoid westbound 183 this a.m.

Westbound Airport Freeway is closed off at the moment near Precinct Line Road, apparently because of an accident in the left lane. Should be better shortly, but if you're headed that way now, don't. The backup is all the way to the 121/183 split. Thanks to NE metro editor Sonny Bohanan for calling in the update.

Face down on the road ... never good

To the guy lying face-down on the inside lane of 121 this morning at 8:45 before the Richland Hills exit: I hope you are OK. To the cops who were busy ticketing people about a half-mile up the road: Seriously? Seemed odd. Five or six motorists had stopped to help the guy, I asked if they needed help and they said they had it under control. I couldn't tell whether there had been a wreck, but lying on 121 is never good. Could be the crazy jurisdictions along that stretch prevented the ticketing officers from hearing about the trouble behind them. One of the motorists rendering aid said 911 had been called. It was a bad way to start to start that guy's Friday. I hope he got the help he needed. Wile E. Driver

I-20 traffic alert!

Eastbound I-20 will be reduced to one lane Friday night and multiple lanes will be closed Saturday and Sunday at McCart Ave. in Fort Worth.

• The fun begins at 10 p.m. Friday. Only one lane will be open 'til Saturday morning for bridge maintenance, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
• A second lane will be open Saturday.
• All four lanes will be open again by 5 a.m. Monday. Until then, drivers are urged to seek alternate routes.

Drivers who choke when the goin' gets tuff

Two posts from reader Charlie in Fort Worth:

I am absolutely amazed at just how badly people drive some days. Let me ask a question: What are you supposed to do when you come to a 4 way intersection where all traffic lights are out? This should be an easy answer. STOP as if the intersection has stop signs. I ran into two intersections today — the worst being Summit@Henderson in Ft Worth -- where 99% of drivers seem to have forgotten this. All the drivers on Summit just kept going and going and going leaving all of us on Henderson either to fend for our lives trying to get on Summit or stopped forever. I’m just amazed there weren’t any wrecks there today. Where were the Ft Worth police when we needed them?

What’s the problem, drivers? Are you afraid to go the speed limit on 183 by NorthEast Mall and by Central? 3pm today I head home from work expecting to hit Rangers traffic but there wasn’t any. I ran into heavy rush hour traffic at about 315pm westbound on 183 at Central. 3pm!!! Why? I ask. No wrecks. Dry Roads. Beautiful sunny skies. Every stinkin’ day I run into the same problem. “Oh no! there’s a bend coming up. I should slow down to 35-40 mph at best to make that bend. Better yet, I’ll hit my brakes multiple times and cause a backup all the way into Irving!” Come On people there is absolutely no reason to slow down on that part of 183! The speed limit is 60. That means that you can SAFELY come around those bends at 60 mph. In fact, you can even make those bends at 70 or so. Let’s all do the right thing and quit turning 183 into a parking lot. 3PM!!!! Jeez.

Navigating the Rangers Ballpark

If you're one of the 50,000-some Texas Rangers fans expected at the Ballpark on Tuesday, plan ahead. There's all kinds of new roads and construction to deal with.

Lucky for us, the worker bees in Star-Telegram Graphics built a handy pdf map that should get you there and parked in plenty of time for the 1:05 p.m. opening pitch. Now if they could just promise sunshine ...

Game on.

-- Brian Johnston

Messy lunch

From J.R. -- A quick lunch-time run to the Super Target on W. 7th Street from downtown Fort Worth turned into a frustrating mess as construction in the Montgomery Plaza area had the road narrowed to one lane. I couldn’t tell what was causing the backups beyond Montgomery Plaza, but folks trying to move further westward on 7th Street were having a heck of a time making any progress. 

17.5 response

17.5
The I-30 message board cryptically flashing "17.5" is trying to tell motorists about a temporary bridge clearance at Ballpark Way, TxDot spokesman Val Lopez said. Additional language will be used on the board to clarify the message, he said.

TMS traffic troubles

Now that the NASCAR races are done and the last of the RVs have left far north Fort Worth, let me get a few things off my chest.

When I moved into the Beechwood Creek community, across from the Texas Motor Speedway, I was fully aware that the area surrounding my quiet community would turn into a parking lot full of NASCAR fans a few days out the year. In fact, my builder asked me to sign a document to that effect.

What I didn't anticipate is that before and after races, I would not be able to get to my home because ALL of the routes directly to my house had been blocked off and that police officers would be rude to my family and neighbors trying to find their way home.

For the last couple of years, we've hunkered down and waited out the traffic nightmare along Highway 114. (We live between Highway 156 and Interstate 35-W, along Highway 114.) But this year, my husband took my son to his soccer game at 2:00 p.m. and I had a doctor's appointment in Irving at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Between noon and 1 p.m., we left separately from our home to our appointments with no problems.

View Larger Map

On his return from Trophy Club, my husband followed the map provided in the Star-Telegram and the temporary traffic signs posted on Highway 114. He took 170 to I-35 W, then exited Eagle Parkway to get to Farm Road 156. When he got to 156, traffic was only allowed to go south. When he tried to ask the police officers what he should do, they yelled at him to keep moving. He tried to talk to other officers along the way who also didn't give him the time of day. Then, he called me on my cellphone to tell me that way was a no go.

I was heading west on Highway 114 and decided to go all the way to I-35W because I knew traffic was flowing in the opposite direction. I told him to go north on I-35W and exit at farm road 407, and then go south on Farm Road 156. He did that and again was blocked at 156 and 114. He parked his car and talked to a police officer, who was extremely helpful, and removed the barricades for him to get home. Meanwhile, another policer officer started to write him a ticket for parking on the side of the road.

By the time I had got to the 156 and 114 intersection, the path was cleared. I'm pretty sure those officers got an earful from my husband (and he didn't get a ticket).

We know we're not the only residents who have suffered through the TMS weekends. All that we ask is that  there is a direct route to and from our community  during race days.  And btw we're perfectly fine   with driving in traffic or going all the way to Oklahoma just as long as there's a clear path home.

We also understand that officers must deal with thousands of cars and people during race week and we feel their pain, but please don't let it out on Fort Worth residents and someone please give officers directions for residents to get back home. They should also remember that the residents at Beechwood Creek and Harriet Creek down the road pay taxes in Fort Worth, Justin, Tarrant County AND Denton County. We deserve a route back to our homes.

Maybe a model could be the way Arlington police handle the routes in the Interlochen community. While it's a smaller scale, there's always a resident route to and from the community.

I know this is a long rant, but I'm sure I'm not the only one. Anyone else?

-- Maricar Estrella

      

Anybody have a tissue?