$1 million study reveals people don't want highway tolls

[needmoredecibels]

I could have told you that for one-half that cost.

http://www.connpost.com/ci_11486289

If state officials seek to add tolls or congestion pricing on highways to ease gridlock, they will face a tough battle from residents over how and where, a study found.

Members of the state Transportation Strategy Board are reviewing a report by Cambridge Systematics, a Massachusetts consultant expected to unveil the results of its $1 million analysis next month.

The report outlines options that include creating tolled lanes parallel to highways that would allow drivers to travel faster; charging drivers statewide based on miles traveled and limiting tolls to highways that need work.

"Public acceptance will be more of a challenge," the report said of an idea to charge only trucks. "Diversion to local roads may be significant."

Motorists in Fairfield County could be charged higher "congestion pricing" fees to use Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway during rush hour and varying fees at other times, the report said.

"Tolling existing toll-free corridors would be a challenge," the report said.

Tolls were removed from I-95 in 1985, and from the Merritt and Wilbur Cross parkways in 1987. Gov. M. Jodi Rell said it is unlikely she would support new tolls.

Congestion pricing would spur use of mass transit and boost dwindling fuel tax revenues to improve highways, rail and other transportation infrastructure, said Floyd Lapp, executive director of the Southwest Regional Planning Agency.

"I think tolling is the most economical way to improve the flow of traffic," Lapp said. "We'll have a revenue base where none now exists, which will go to transportation infrastructure."

Karen Burnaska, a member of the Transportation Strategy Board, said the group may make recommendations to Rell and the Legislature for possible action this year.

"They've put forward some very important information for us to consider," Burnaska said.

A small state like Connecticut faces complex issues with tolls, she said. One consideration is establishing equitable fees that would charge motorists who travel short distances and truckers based on use.

"We have a lot to consider," Burnaska said. "Connecticut has some very unique features and you can't assume that what works on the Massachusetts Turnpike will work on I-95."

Other options in the report are:

l Tolling all "limited-access" highways in the state, including the Merritt Parkway, I-95, I-91, I-84 and Route 8.

l Tolling all traffic on I-95 north of New Haven and I-84 north of Danbury, or tolling specially created express lanes to fund expansion of those corridors.

l Placing tolls at state borders, ensuring out-of-state travelers pay a share of maintaining highways.

l Tolling only truck traffic.

l Converting highway shoulders into so-called HOT lanes, allowing drivers pay to use lanes reserved for carpoolers or buses.

State Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, vice chairman of the Legislature's Transportation Committee, said it's likely tolls will face strong opposition. Congestion pricing in Fairfield County and elsewhere punishes residents unless the state gives them the option of better rail service and mass transit, Duff said.

"We don't have our mass transit house in order yet, so people don't have a realistic option besides using their cars," Duff said. "On our railways we don't have enough parking or seats right now."

Michael Riley, president of the Connecticut Motor Transport Association, which represents trucking firms, said tolls would be onerous for truck drivers and commuters.

"I don't think the people of Connecticut will stand for it at this stage of the game," Riley said.

[uomgoblue]

I am all for them. I use them when I travel to Austin. I'd rather pay 4 bucks and miss the traffic.

[Stephanie]

I like driving so the longer I am in the car, the better.

Driving though France was expensive, their tolls are nuts! Thank god they took Visa, by the 3rd toll I was flat out of cash and I still had 2 to go plus back!

[needmoredecibels]

[jayandstacey]

The OP is a bit of a misrepresentation - the study also recommended alternatives and laid out options.

The fundamental choice is between limiting driving to save gas or congestion, or seeing ample, rapid roads as vital to an economy. Is it something to be supported or discouraged?

CT is obviously wrestling with that now.

I-95, and to some degree the Merritt, have a higher % of out-of-CT drivers so become easy targets for tolls. Think about it - it would be WAY cheaper to simply add to local taxes or hike car registration fees. The trick is to milk the guy from the other state.

interesting government tug-of-war. It really is at the heart of what government does in our country, and this particular battle is at the heart of our energy and environmental future.

[Thomps2525]

Last year our esteemed county government leaders decided that instituting "congestion pricing" could make the 50,000,000 cars on our freeways travel more smoothly. They planned to set aside portions of the 10 and the 210 freeways (east-west routes) to be used as toll roads. The toll would vary depending on the time of day. Golly gee whillikers, nobody (except for the money-hungry politicians) seemed to like the idea! The plan died a quick death.

[Brian202]

Yikes. This study is an even bigger waste of money than paying to drive on taxpayer funded highways.

[XM in Dallas]

[needmoredecibels]

In NJ they just approved toll hikes on the NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway to fund much needed lane additions. Interestingly, the Expressway plans on going to a barrier free toll system in a couple years. Your tolls will be tracked by overhead gantries that record off of your EZPass tags. There will be no toll collectors anywhere.

[howiehunt]

A story:
About 30 years ago, I travelled cross-country with a friend from California. When we got to Florida, we paid a toll on the highway - my friend kept looking around, and finally asked me "so where's the bridge?" There's a reason why they called the highways "freeways" on the West Coast.

It was my East Coast revenge for my mangling the pronunciation of "San Joaquin".

[J K Edwards]

[J K Edwards]

[jayandstacey]

[jayandstacey]

[needmoredecibels]

My wife loves to take the back roads as opposed to the turnpikes. Much better scenery, even if it takes a little longer to get there.