flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
You think the federal DOT doesn't love user fees, think again...
http://www.roadsbridges.com/Oklahoma-transportation-official-supports-toll-roads-newsPiece14642
Now, Pennsylvania is trying to turn I-80 into a toll road. If they succeed, and if money-grubbing New York turns the Southern Tier Expressway into a toll road, there will no longer be a good (ie freeway) route from the midwest to the northeast that doesn't come with a toll. Folks, even if you never drive these roads, you'll be paying the tolls. Every product you buy, got there on a truck. Current truck tolls to cross the PA Turnpike are $122.00, and to run the New York Thruway is $120.50. Add that to the $30.50 to cross Ohio and $19.00 (up twice from $12.80 in the last year) to cross Indiana, and you're talkin' some real money.
Interesting point about reducing fuel consumption and paying for the roads, though...
http://www.roadsbridges.com/Oklahoma-transportation-official-supports-toll-roads-newsPiece14642
Assistant U.S. Secretary of Transportation Tyler Duvall believes toll roads are the best option for financing roads.
Though Duvall stopped short of recommending more toll roads in Oklahoma, he told a state House subcommittee on Oct. 11 that it is unrealistic to think that roads can be built on a pay-as-you-go system.
States need to consult the private sector for investors who want to build roads with the promise of being paid back by consumers through the government, Duvall said.
...
He also said using fuel taxes to finance highway construction would not be an effective solution because of moves to reduce fuel consumption.
"I don't think it's wise to set in place a program that will fail because of another," Duvall said.
Now, Pennsylvania is trying to turn I-80 into a toll road. If they succeed, and if money-grubbing New York turns the Southern Tier Expressway into a toll road, there will no longer be a good (ie freeway) route from the midwest to the northeast that doesn't come with a toll. Folks, even if you never drive these roads, you'll be paying the tolls. Every product you buy, got there on a truck. Current truck tolls to cross the PA Turnpike are $122.00, and to run the New York Thruway is $120.50. Add that to the $30.50 to cross Ohio and $19.00 (up twice from $12.80 in the last year) to cross Indiana, and you're talkin' some real money.
Interesting point about reducing fuel consumption and paying for the roads, though...