10/04/2025
We all have things that cause us to spend money, even when it irritates us to no end!
I recently took a trip back to Oklahoma to attend my 35-year High School Class Reunion. It also gave me the pleasure of spending time with my mom, brother, and other relatives and friends from my hometown of Ponca City.
The trip went well—getting to see “old” classmates and relatives I don’t see very often, and catching up on all that has transpired since our last encounters. After all, it’s an eight-and-a-half-hour drive from New Braunfels, Texas, to Ponca City, Oklahoma, and I just don’t get the opportunity to make that trip very often.
But the main reason for my post really has nothing to do with my time in Ponca City. Earlier today I received an email from HCTRA (Harris County Toll Road Authority). It was their usual notification that my monthly statement was available. Out of curiosity—wondering how much my toll road diversions had cost me during my trip—I logged into their website to check it out.
That’s when I got a surprise. I’ll admit, many times I don’t pay much attention to toll costs because my desire to get where I’m going as quickly as possible outweighs worrying about what it will cost me. Besides, it couldn’t be more than a few bucks, right?
Well, this time I was shocked. I only diverted off of I-35 once, for probably no more than 10 miles. My first charge shows up at 10:12 a.m., and my third and final charge shows up at 10:21 a.m.—so no more than nine minutes on the toll road. My total charges? $17.25. I know that isn’t a huge amount in the big scheme of things, but for nine minutes of road time, it caught me off guard.
That prompted me to Google, “Why are the charges so high on the express toll road running through Fort Worth?” That’s when I learned about dynamic pricing. Here’s what I found:
Dynamic Pricing System:
1. Keeps traffic moving: The toll price fluctuates in real time to keep traffic in the TEXpress lanes moving at 50 mph or faster.
2. Increases with demand: When congestion rises in the main lanes, the toll price goes up. During lighter periods, the price decreases. Without a toll tag, it costs even more because of processing fees. (I have a toll tag, by the way.)
3. Influences driver choice: The variable pricing is designed to make drivers consider whether a faster trip is worth the higher cost, keeping flow manageable for those willing to pay.
Construction and Financing:
The I-35W TEXpress lanes were part of the multi-billion-dollar North Tarrant Express (NTE) project, a public-private partnership (P3) managed by NTE Mobility Partners. This funding model explains the high costs:
1. Private investment: Developers invested heavily and are granted long-term rights to collect tolls.
2. Project complexity: Adding express lanes within an existing highway required massive reconstruction, including general-purpose lanes, frontage roads, and bridges.
3. Public funding limits: With gas tax revenues not keeping up with rising costs, tolling and P3s have become necessary for large-scale projects in Texas.
Long-Term Operation and Maintenance:
1. High tolls also fund ongoing operation and maintenance, which fall under the private company’s responsibility.
2. The state still owns the road, but the private partner assumes the financial risks and upkeep costs under the lease.
When I think about all the other crazy things we spend money on—$7 Starbucks coffees, $50 Taco Bell lunches, $3 convenience store candy bars, and $3 restaurant sodas—suddenly $17.25 to keep me moving down the road and avoid crawling through grueling traffic doesn’t feel like such a bad spend.
Oh, how times have changed. My wife would tell you I’m the most penny-pinching person she knows. If gas prices rise more than 10 cents per gallon, I’m immediately Googling to find out why—even as the gas is already flowing into my tank. (As if I could do anything about it!)
We all have things that cause us to spend money, even when it irritates us to no end. For me, this toll road experience is one of those things.
