Thursday, November 1, 2012

Feral hogs overrun privatized TX highway



This is why we think privatizing roads is a dumbass thing to do.

In Texas, a 41-mile private toll road linking Austin to Seguin just opened. It's owned by a consortium led by Spanish road builder Cintra. Its speed limit is 85 mph. It is also a feral pig crossing.

Since motorists began using the road last week, there have already been three animal collisions. According to the TM Daily Post:
And the hits will probably keep coming. As an article in the San Antonio Express-News notes, Texas has the highest population of feral hogs in the country.
The road is free for now, but it will cost $7.17 to drive between Austin and Seguin starting next week.

Good thing those tolls will help fund the first responders, emergency vehicles, law enforcement and hospital care that will be needed for those upcoming casualties.

Oh wait...