Spiraling Admin Costs + Strong Toll Revenue Recovery at HCTRA
Toll revenue recovery at Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) is strong, but admin costs have skyrocketed since 2020.
Entries by Tory Gattis
Countering the “Freeway Fighters”
by Tory Gattis — This piece covers the “freeway fighters”, a growing anti-freeway movement in America which will have many negative ramifications for the economies of metro areas.
Metro Needs to Rethink the University Line
Houston transit opponents worry that construction of the University Line will snarl traffic, invite unwelcome development and cripple local businesses.
Houston #1 Standard of Living Globally, HTX vs LA, and more
by Tory Gattis — Houston has the highest purchasing power at the lowest cost-of-living in the world… aka the highest standard of living in the world.
New Book: Houston as the Bold Case Against Zoning
A new book by M. Nolan Gray cites the Houston city model makes a bold case against zoning.
Comparing the Inflating Costs of Houston Highways vs. Transit
Inflation is causing huge cost increases for all types of infrastructure projects; this week we compare Houston highway vs. transit cost inflation.
Post HTX Diversity, Housing Costs Hurt Education and more
by Tory Gattis — Big increases in housing costs since 2000 have likely eaten most of the wage premium return from getting a college education, reducing the incentive to invest in education.
Solving the Housing Shortage, and Houston Popular for Relocation
by Tory Gattis — Wall Street Journal finds that the housing shortage is caused by a combination of zoning and financing rules and supply-chain constraints.
Metro’s Inner Katy BRT Plan, and Urban Exodus Trend
by Tory Gattis — Metro’s Inner Katy BRT plan looks good except for TXDoT’s duplicative plans for vehicle traffic lanes to replace lost access to existing HOV lanes. And, the urban exodus continues.
Houston’s Mini-Kaihatsu, Sinking False Alarm, and more
by Tory Gattis — Houston’s reported rate of sinking may be a false alarm in terms of the city actually disappearing below sea level, and a new book notes similarities between Tokyo’s mini-kaihatsu and Houston’s townhouse developments.