The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Toll Road" ...
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Sun Sentinel: Speeding Cops
A Miami cop in his marked patrol car set off a public fury in the fall of 2011 when a Florida state trooper clocked him going 120 mph to an off-duty job. Turning to technology and a never-before used tool – highway toll records – the Sun Sentinel produced back-to-back investigations documenting widespread police misconduct and the professional solidarity that allowed it to flourish. In "Above the Law," a three-part series published in February, reporters used police toll records to confirm what many South Florida drivers had witnessed for years: cops were among the worst speeders on the roads, taking advantage of the badge and patrol car to ignore the very laws they enforce. "Short Shifted," a two-part series published in December, used those same toll records to detail how many South Florida cops, paid to serve and protect, were regularly leaving their beats and cities before their shifts ended.
Tags: Police; police speeders
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What Trinity Toll Road Backers Didn't Tell Us
In 2007, Dallas voters rendered a judgement on the largest public works project in city history, casting ballots in a referendum that had become a surprisingly close, all-in-battle between grassroots activists and the Dallas business and cultural establishment. The question- should the city's multi-billion plan to transform Dallas' long-neglected riverfront into a massive series of parks, forests, white-water rapids, and other natural wonders be built, as planned, with a $2 billion high-speed toll road running right through it?
Tags: Dallas; 2007; Toll Road; Grassroots Activist
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"Easy Money, BTO Business: The Truth of 'Tax Shield of Macquarie'"
In an attempt to develop the country of Korea during an economic crisis, the government established the Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO) system, which allowed a toll fee to be applied to many roads. However, in order for the system to work, an additional system, the Minimum Revenue Guarantee, had to be introduced. The MRG guaranteed companies receive a "minimal income level from the government" when the toll fee fell "short of projections." This angered many people who did not use the roads due to the high toll fee.
Tags: MKIF; Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund; Build-Transfer-Operate; BFO; Woomyunsan Tunnel; Seoul; National Pension Service
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Tollway Junket
"The North Texas Tollway Authority, a public entity, sent 5 representatives on an all-expenses paid trip to Vienna, Austria to attend the International Bridge, Tunnel and Tollway Association's annual meeting. The trip cost tollway users more than $42,000 dollars and our hidden cameras revealed some representatives dining on five star meals, catered by companies with multi-million dollar construction contracts."
Tags: North Texas Tollway Authority; transportation; roads; toll roads; Texas; conflict of interest; funding; hidden camera; budget; public;
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E-Z Pass Problems
Maryland's E-Z Pass system that "signals a computer as the motorists goes through a toll plaza to automatically subtract the cost of the toll from their E-ZPass holder account" has problems. WBAL found that batteries were wearing out but the state didn't send out notices and were denying fine appeals.
Tags: transportation; toll roads; state government; products;
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The Highwaymen
This investigation explores a recent trend: auctioning the maintenance of public highways and bridges to private companies. The article shows how privatization benefits the companies far more than the public. Private road operators charge high tolls and insist on non-compete clauses, so the government can't build other roads in the area.
Tags: transportation; privatization; bridges; roads; constructions; infastructure; driving; transit; state government
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Truth Be Tolled
An analysis of 23 modern toll road projects in Colorado, Texas and South Carolina "found that most badly missed revenue projections in their opening years, leading one to fail and others to either flee default or refinance at less favorable terms." The expected amount of traffic never materialized, causing the shortfall. Further, some of those responsible for the optimistic projections had a financial interest in seeing the roads completed.
Tags: Toll roads; infrastructure; Denver's Northwest Parkway; revenue shortfall
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"No Brakes on Cash for Turnpike"
Investigation found that for nearly 20 years, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has spent billions of dollars, forcing motorists and taxpayers to pick up the tab for decades to come. It was also found even with the 44% toll increase set for August it still needs billions more for projects that are underway.
Tags: Turnpike; toll; motorists; road; expressway; toll increase; tax
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Death at the track: Racing's Human Toll
An Observer investigation found that at least 260 people (including children and spectators) across the United States died in auto racing since 1990. The study scrutinized the main reasons: fences and barriers fail regularly, potentially dangerous drivers are allowed to race, head and neck injuries killed at least half the drivers, and inadequate rescue measures. After conducting more than 400 interviews plus newspaper and Internet searches, the Observer documented 260 deaths in all levels of U.S auto racing - from premier Winston cup and Indy car events to dirt-track races. Most deaths occurred at the small tracks. An Observer survey of track officials showed that few speedways inspect more than basic safety items of the racing cars. The fragmentation of the racing world and its players' fears of lawsuits have hindered collaboration and unity that could raise the level of safety.
Tags: death; sports; drivers; spectators; road accidents; survivors; safety standards; NASCAR; CART (Championship Auto Racing team); IRL (Indy Racing League); ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America); life insurance; Lowe's motor speedway; CAR
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High Rollers: At Riverboat Casinos, The Free Drinks Come With a Tragic Toll; Drunken Patrons Hit the Road and Cause Fatal Crashes; The Lawsuits Pile Up; No Help from Mr. O'Lucky
A Wall Street Journal investigation of riverboat casinos in rural areas reveals that most have a free drink policy that owners know contributes to drunk driving accidents. The Wall Street Journal was "able to prove that riverboat casinos, in pursuit of higher profits, plied patrons with free alcoholic drinks, often got them drunk, then allowed them to drive away. We showed that, because of the rural location of most riverboats, this policy often lead to fatal accidents; that the casinos knew of these accidents; and that they knew free alcohol helped impair the judgement of gamblers, thus tipping the odds in their favor."
Tags: riverboat casinos; drunk driving; alcohol; cars; automobiles; gambling; poker; slot machines; ethics; free; money; profits