Harris County TXDot Commisioners Pass $1.7 Billion Purchase of 288 to Continue Charging Toll

In a vote yesterday, The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) voted unanimously without a discussion to spend over $1.7 billion of taxpayer funds to take control of the toll lanes on State Highway 288 in Harris County, Texas. This decision involves terminating a 52-year agreement with Blueridge Transportation Group, which had been managing these toll lanes since their opening in 2020. Since the announcement, county residents have voiced their frustration claiming that it is akin to double taxation. Critics, including members of the Republican Party of Texas, have voiced concerns that this move contradicts the party's platform which calls for the abolition of toll roads. It was claimed that the buyout allows TxDOT to set its own toll rates and use the revenue for broader infrastructure projects in the region. This could theoretically lead to lower toll rates for drivers, although there's no explicit commitment to reduce or eliminate tolls.TxDOT's statement suggests that the toll revenue will focus on SH 288's needs and future transportation infrastructure, indicating a strategy to leverage this asset for broader regional benefits.

The $1.7 Billion solely covers only ten miles of highway.

Texas Representative Briscoe Cain wrote a letter to Commissioner Bugg voicing his opposition to the purchase of 288, stating, “according to your agenda- you will continue to charge taxpayers to drive on the same road for which they would have already paid for”

State Senator, Mayes Middleton also wrote a letter with his opposition of the purchase using taxpayer funds

Despite public opinion and state politician’s pushback, the Commissioners pushed forward, effectively ignoring their opposition.

Tolls are a temporary tax to help pay for the road. "The most permanent thing to exist is a temporary government program"

Briscoe Cain has responded to the purchase of the toll road, by stating that his office will be looking into legislation that will prevent the Commissioners from doing this in the future.

This is not the first controversy this year which has come from TXDOT. Roberto Trevino recently received a 38% pay raise from $350,531k+ to $485,000k a year, County Judge Lina Hidalgo expressed outrage concerning the massive increase in wage for Roberto Trevino, who holds a close relationship to County Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

Below you can read about Trevino’s career here in Houston.