05:58 PM CST on Tuesday, December 7, 2004

By Jason Whitely / 11 News

There is a drive to rope in the authority of the Harris County Toll Road Authority. Neighborhood leaders want to make it more accountable.

KHOU-TV

The Toll Road Authority said even though it doesn't have open forums, it has never gone against public outcry to build a project.

It's no secret that more than a dozen new toll roads are proposed over the next 20 years. Some are already under construction.

What many may not know is the Harris County Toll Road Authority, unlike TxDOT, can build a toll road anywhere it wants without public approval.

"Communities have a right to have a say in that," said Polly Ledvina, Citizens' Transportation Coalition.

Tuesday afternoon, a handful of neighborhood leaders went to city council looking for support.

"If we don't figure out what to do they're going to pave over my neighborhood, the Heights neighborhood and your neighborhoods," said Margaret Dover, Citizens' Transportation Coalition.

"Like the speaker says, all these roads are pointed right at our neighborhoods," said Mark Goldberg, Citizens' Transportation Coalition. "All the traffic in the surrounding county will be coming through our neighborhood."

"I believe that Mayor White will try to do the right thing. I don't know he has the power to," said Ken Lindow, Citizens' Transportation Coalition.

He doesn't.

While many on Houston City Council may agree with these neighborhood leaders, council can't do anything.

Folks only came together on this day to get the city on their side before going to Austin next year in hopes of changing state law and forcing public meetings.

The Toll Road Authority said even though it doesn't have open forums, it has never gone against public outcry to build a project.

Regardless, with more roads in the works, this group is determined to get accountability.