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Explaining Bexar County’s Tolled Lane System

What is a tolled lane?

A tolled lane is a lane or lanes where a user fee is charged. The purpose of these toll lanes is to provide a more reliable choice of travel and increase the overall highway efficiency (level of service) by charging a user fee. These lanes will complement the existing non-toll lanes that will remain in place.

Why do we need toll lanes in Bexar County?

The new toll system will accelerate the needed construction of additional lanes for the most congested highways in Bexar County without increasing the tax burden on citizens. There simply are not enough motor fuel tax dollars available to build the necessary capacity lanes as quickly as we need them. Toll financing will provide system-wide congestion relief to the region, decades earlier than traditional “pay as you go” financing and the public will always have a choice between tolled and non-toll lanes.

What do I need to know about Bexar County’s toll system?

Existing highway lanes will NOT be converted from tax supported roads to toll lanes. Only added capacity (new construction) and new location controlled access highways can be tolled. This ensures that the traveling public will always have a choice between tolled and non-toll lanes, much like the choice to buy bottled water, use a cell phone, or sign up for cable TV. Tolls will be collected electronically adding to their convenience and eliminating the need for toll booths.

How will tolls impact local Bexar County drivers?

Existing highway lanes will NOT be converted from tax supported roads to toll lanes. Only added capacity (new construction) and new location controlled access highways can be tolled. This ensures that the traveling public will always have a choice between tolled and non-toll lanes, much like the choice to buy bottled water, use a cell phone, or sign up for cable TV. Tolls will be collected electronically adding to their convenience and eliminating the need for toll booths.

Will there be toll booths?

No. Tolls will be collected electronically adding to their convenience and eliminating the need for toll booths. New electronic toll tag and video tolling technology will allow drivers to use tolled lanes without slowing or stopping at toll booths.

Will I need to have an electronic toll tag to use the new roads?

The Alamo RMA is committed to using all proven technologies to help keep our system moving. New technology will allow drivers to use toll lanes without slowing or stopping at toll booths - there will be NO toll booths. The new technology will allow drivers to move effortlessly along the toll lanes. The innovative TxTag will be interoperable and accepted on any toll system in Texas. For more information on TxTag please click here Video Tolling (collection of tolls through photographic reads of license plates) may be available as an alternative to TxTag usage and will be evaluated as we move forward in this process.

Why are toll lanes being built now?

The new toll lanes in Bexar County are projects that have long been part of the region’s transportation plans, however without tolling, these needed improvements cannot be funded and built. Today, drivers use roads that were built decades ago and the cost to maintain these roadways continues to increase each year. We need to build the next generation of highway projects now to serve the region as it continues to grow. We need them now to address travel time and safety concerns caused by congestion.

Who determines if a roadway project is toll feasible?

The Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA) is a division of the Texas Department of Transportation that is responsible for coordinating the development of turnpike projects for the state. The TTA was initially responsible for determining whether or not a roadway project was toll feasible. However, the Alamo RMA is now in charge and overseeing these studies in Bexar County. (Please see the next section of FAQs to learn more about the Alamo RMA.)

How long does it take to conduct traffic and revenue studies?

There are four levels of analysis for traffic and revenue studies. Conceptual Analysis, approximately 1 to 4 weeks. Level 1 – Sketch Analysis with Traffic and Revenue (T&R), approximately 6 weeks Level 2 – Intermediate Analysis with T&R, approximately 4 to 6 months Level 3 – Investment Grade Analysis with T&R, approximately 12 to 18 months

Accountability

What is a Regional Mobility Authority (RMA)?

A political subdivision of the state set up to implement and/or build a wide variety of transportation projects in the region to increase mobility and relieve congestion. The Texas Legislature, in 2001, created Regional Mobility Authorities, under Senate Bill 342. Subsequent legislation in 2003 and 2005 have further defined the roles and abilities of Regional Mobility Authorities.

Who does the Alamo RMA report to?

The Citizens of Bexar County Bexar County Commissioners Court Other elected officials

How is the Alamo RMA governed?

A seven-member Board of Directors oversees the Alamo RMA. The Alamo RMA Board of Directors serves staggered two-year terms. The Chairman of the Board is appointed by the Governor of Texas, two members are appointed by the County Judge, one of whom serves as the representative for the City of San Antonio as per the Interlocal Agreement and the other four members are appointed by Bexar County Commissioners, one each.

Will other agencies be involved in the Alamo RMA's development of the toll network system?

Yes. The ultimate success of the tolled lane system requires that the Alamo RMA, Texas Department of Transportation, San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Bexar County, City of San Antonio, suburban cities, VIA Metropolitan Transit and other agencies work together as partners. As the system moves from concept to reality, each agency must accept various roles and responsibilities.

Environment

Will the construction of toll lanes pose a threat to our environment?

Building any road – whether toll or non-toll – requires taking steps to protect the environment. As a local agency, the Alamo RMA recognizes the importance of protecting the natural resources that are unique to Bexar County – particularly the Edwards Aquifer and the karst features that exist throughout the recharge zone. All of the Alamo RMA’s projects in sensitive areas will be extensively studied and scrutinized through a federal mandated process that is open to the public with opportunities for public comment/feedback. The Alamo RMA will work closely with environmental groups, neighborhood residents, agencies and all interested stakeholders to receive input on how projects can be developed in a manner that is consistent with regulations and community needs and desires. As toll lanes are constructed and older non-toll lanes are upgraded, modern water detention facilities will be constructed, improving water quality and reducing the risk of flooding. Reducing congestion will result in improved air quality.

Financial Issues

Why don't you just increase motor fuel taxes to pay for needed lanes?

Oil and gasoline prices are at an all-time high, and there is little chance the Texas Legislature will increase the 20 cent-per gallon motor fuel tax to the level needed to pay for all needed added capacity construction projects in Texas. Texas is a “donor state” that gets less in funding than it pays in federal motor fuel taxes. The State also does not use all of its motor fuel tax revenue directly on road projects. For every dollar Texas sends to Washington, D.C., in federal motor fuel tax, we receive back $0.86. The Texas Department of Transportation is spending all state motor fuel tax collected simply to maintain the state highway system. toll lanes offer a reliable, affordable choice for financing the region’s transportation needs without increasing the motor fuel tax. Locally, it is estimated that over the next 25 years, the Bexar County region needs an additional $8.4 billion in transportation funding and resources to help relief congestion and improve the quality of life for all residents.

How much will the tolls be?

Toll rates for the 281 North Toll project have been set at $0.17 per mile for 2 and 3 axle vehicles, and $0.46 per mile for vehicles with more than 3 axels, as of the opening of the toll project which is projected for 2012. Toll rates will increase on a yearly basis with the consumer price index. For more information on the toll rates, please view the presentation made by the Alamo RMA to the San Antonio Bexar County MPO on the business terms used for the financial modeling by clicking here

Who decides how much the tolls will be and when they will increase?

The Alamo RMA has presented business terms to the San Antonio Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization in late 2007 which established the initial toll rates to be used for the RMA toll system in Bexar County. Copies of the presentations made to the MPO, which approved the business terms, can be found here The Alamo RMA Board of Directors is responsible for setting the toll rates, and by resolution, has stated that the rates shown in the business terms will be the rates used for the toll projects. Rates are projected to increase each year with the consumer price index.

Where does the toll money go?

All toll money collected from Alamo RMA toll projects will go directly back into the construction, maintenance, operations, and expansion of the transportation system in Bexar County.

How is the Alamo RMA funded?

Currently, the Alamo RMA is funded through loans from TxDOT to begin the project development process on a portion of IH 35, SH 16, and Wurzbach Parkway and to provide local input on to the proposed Comprehensive Development Agreement for the US 281 and Loop 1604 project. The Alamo RMA is also funded through Inter-local Agreement (ILA) loans from Bexar County and the City of San Antonio. Both the ILA loans and the TxDOT loans will be paid back.

How we do pay for state highway construction today?

Historically, the State of Texas has been dependent on motor fuel taxes to pay for expansion and maintenance of the state highway system. The state motor fuel tax, which is currently $0.20 per gallon, was last increased in 1991. The Texas Constitution, to help fund the public education system in Texas, diverts 25% of each dollar collected in state motor fuel tax to education. For more information about how the Texas Department of Transportation pay for state roads please visit http://www.txdot.gov/services/finance/total_receipts.htm http://www.txdot.gov/services/finance/disbursements.htm http://www.txdot.gov/services/finance/fuel_taxes.htm