Repeal of the Trans Texas Corridor (HB 1201) - or not

I have read and heard many remarks about the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC). As many may be aware, this was a proposal to create a new and expanded highway system entirely outside of the current set of highways that we have. A major feature of this system was going to be the heavy use of public/private funding arrangements, with the private portion picking up a very large part of the cost.

In return, these private entities would be the operators of these roads, and yes, these roads would have contained many managed (TOLL) lanes. So, a lot of people became very unhappy about this concept and began very publicly to push against it. And, legislators, fearing for their reelection chances, said, okay, maybe this is not a good idea, well eliminate it. At least that is the way it seemed.

Enter HB 1201, with the following caption: relating to repeal of authority for the establishment and operation of the Trans-Texas Corridor, which was passed in the house on the 7th.

The caption would certainly make you think that the legislature was doing away with the Trans Texas Corridor. Then you read it, and start to wonder; yes they remove all references to the name (Trans Texas Corridor) - but the tax status of privately operated toll roads is left intact. This goes on throughout the entire bill, and you start to wonder. Finally, towards the end [Section 14 (2)], we see the magic words "repeal Chapter 227" of the transportation code. Chapter 227 is the law that establishes the Trans Texas Corridor.

So, it appears dead - it has been repealed. on the one hand. On the other hand, HB 3789 amends subtitle G, Title 6, Transportation code to add a new chapter, 373, which enacts rules for public/private partnerships for building toll roads.... kinda like the Trans Texas Corridor roads. This new bill also allows for similar pieces of regulation, such as modifying the maximum weights of vehicles (read that trucks) that can operate on the roads. kinda like the TTC.

So, is the Trans Texas Corridor really dead? Some people think not. I am certainly trying to read more to understand what the legislature is up to. It would not surprise me in the least to find out that one bill repeals the TTC and another recreates it, sans name of course, and no body really notices because the name is gone, and that was how it was identified to the public. Kill the name, and the project is gone (not really - it just got a new name).