We just tackled the arguments against, but what are the benefits?
Economic Growth
Dallas has reported that toll roads have brought in $80 billion to the local economy. How is this bad for anyone? Every city in America would love to see that kind of increase. It’s attractive to companies to place their headquarters or major office in these cities because their employees can easily live in the area of the city they want and commute quickly to their job.
Development tends to follow roads, again look at 183A and you’ll find a number of developments that may have happened anyways, but are more attractive to developers to do immediately. Development equals jobs, new home construction and sales which seem to be something pointed to often of late as an indicator of a thriving or falling economy.
Time saves money
The entire reason they exist is that people would be willing to pay money to not sit in traffic and if you asked me on the right day, I’d do the same on I-35. Toll roads get people moving to their destination quicker and relieve traffic even for free roads. So even if you choose not to pay for it, you’re benefitting because of less traffic on the road you are used to driving. Toll roads are also constructed faster than typical state highway construction meaning solutions to traffic come faster. Faster construction saves money too.
Toll roads enhance the transportation network of any major city while benefitting all involved. People who fight against them are usually fighting development at the end of the day and developments will find a way to come to an area with or without the road. If you don’t believe me, look at New Braunfels along SH 46.
So there you have it. Better for everyone. I know you are all convinced.
