What's this--can the state's transportation department be thinking of relaxing its iron grip on the state's highway system and turning over a bit of it to private enterprise? Will miracles never cease?
To quote Director Scott Bennett, statewide boss of the system: "Many times, with facilities such as this, there is a shortfall between the revenues generated from tolls and what is needed to build [it.]" Why not let private enterprise make the profit and/or run the risk, just like in real life and real business? For the road ahead is clear and the prospect of a real pan-American highway enticing.
What's only been a dream, or sometimes just a conspiracy theory, has beckoned again and may actually unite not just a single state but the United States of America. If we the people will it, it's no dream. To quote Director Bennett, who's making sense and showing real vision: "The thought, if the money part works out, is that a private entity would design, build, operate and maintain the facility until it is paid for and can become a 'free' route." Why not? Many another state, with many another public-private company, has made a success of it--from Massachusetts to New York and many a point beyond.
Then there's Tim Allen of Fort Smith's chamber of commerce. He's had a hopeful word about the whole idea, and can speak plain English:
"We have I-49 that is 99 percent complete from I-40 to Canada. Then we have this gap between I-40 and Fort Smith. Connecting that dot is important to our manufacturing base. "
Future, here we come, barreling along like an 18-wheeler. But let's not violate any speed limits or start weaving from one side of the road to the other. In other plain words, let's look before we leap. Carefully.
Editorial on 09/21/2016