Harris County Rakes in $1 Billion Annually from Toll Roads

Lawmakers face scrutiny over lack of oversight on how surplus funds are spent

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) collects over $1 billion per year in toll revenue, but there are concerns about the lack of transparency and oversight on how the surplus funds are being used by county commissioners. While the money goes towards operations, debt payments, and future expansion, a significant portion ends up in the hands of county lawmakers with limited public accountability.

Why it matters

The massive toll road revenue stream has sparked debates over whether the funds are being used effectively for transportation-related needs or if they are being diverted for other purposes. There are calls for more oversight and transparency, as well as potential legislation to give cities like Houston a share of the surplus to address local infrastructure and public safety needs.

The details

The HCTRA oversees 132 miles of toll roads in Harris County and collects around $1 billion annually from drivers. After covering operations and debt costs, there is typically over $100 million left in surplus funds that county commissioners can use for "mobility projects" with limited oversight. In recent years, the county has withdrawn nearly $1.5 billion from the toll road funds, raising concerns about the lack of transparency in how this money is being spent.

  • In 2024, the HCTRA sent $7.4 million in invoices covering 54 million toll transactions.
  • Between 2021 and 2024, Harris County withdrew nearly $1.5 billion from the toll road surplus funds.
  • In April 2025, a Texas Senate bill aimed to give cities like Houston a share of the toll road surplus funds, but it was opposed by Harris County commissioners.

The players

Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA)

The government agency that oversees 132 miles of toll roads in Harris County and collects around $1 billion in annual revenue from drivers.

Harris County Commissioners Court

The governing body of Harris County that oversees the use of the surplus toll road funds, which has faced criticism for the lack of transparency and oversight on how the money is spent.

John Whitmire

The mayor of Houston, who has argued that the city deserves more of the toll road surplus funds since the roads run through the middle of the city.

Lesley Briones

The Precinct 4 Commissioner in Harris County, who opposed a 2025 state bill that would have allowed cities to access a portion of the toll road surplus funds.

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What they’re saying

“There are still potholes everywhere, and we have no train system....the city should be looking like Dubai from all the money it brings in every year.”

— Reggie, TikTok user (TikTok)

“The toll roads come right through the middle of Houston. They're running a $300 million surplus and they're using it for things that are not transportation-related. That's not what the creators of the Toll Road (Authority) had in mind.”

— John Whitmire, Mayor of Houston (Houston Chronicle)

“Mobility dollars are critical to addressing this growth, improving public safety, and driving economic development. SB 2722 (and its companion HB 5177) would have drained dollars from road building and repair to plug unrelated budget holes.”

— Lesley Briones, Precinct 4 Commissioner, Harris County (Statement)

What’s next

The Texas Legislature is expected to continue debating bills that would give cities a share of toll road surplus funds, though Harris County commissioners have opposed such measures in the past.

The takeaway

The massive toll road revenue in Harris County has sparked concerns over the lack of transparency and oversight on how the surplus funds are being used by county lawmakers. This has led to calls for more accountability and potentially sharing the funds with cities like Houston to address local infrastructure and public safety needs.