For Whom the Road Tolls
In politics, items sometimes move from simmer to boil with great speed. Could toll roads be such a case? Transportation issues are pressing, because of our high growth rate. But transportation funding is difficult. The primary funding mechanism for roads is the gas tax, supplemented by general fund money (which comes from the sales tax on all items). Estimates exist that it would take a $.20/gallon increase in the gas tax to pay for needed roads. That's sobering. Toll roads would add another option -- and would be a direct "use tax."
Initially, it doesn't give me warm fuzzies to think of converting existing roads into toll roads. However, new roads -- roads that wouldn't be built (anytime soon, at least) under existing financing mechanisms -- could be a different story. It is interesting to contemplate a new funding mechanism to expeditiously secure transportation corridors and get people flowing. Anyone who tries to move west from I-15 south of Salt Lake City or north from Salt Lake City in afternoon rush knows what I'm talking about.
UPDATE (06/22/05): Here's a D-News editorial on toll roads.
Initially, it doesn't give me warm fuzzies to think of converting existing roads into toll roads. However, new roads -- roads that wouldn't be built (anytime soon, at least) under existing financing mechanisms -- could be a different story. It is interesting to contemplate a new funding mechanism to expeditiously secure transportation corridors and get people flowing. Anyone who tries to move west from I-15 south of Salt Lake City or north from Salt Lake City in afternoon rush knows what I'm talking about.
UPDATE (06/22/05): Here's a D-News editorial on toll roads.
posted by steve u. at 6/17/2005
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5 Comments:
Why can't we use some of the extra $112 million surplus that we had this year for roads?
I'd feel really bad if we took any of our existing roads which were constructed with general gasoline tax revenues and then convert them to toll roads. I.e. 5600 West (These roads have already been purchased by the general citizenry and they would then be precluded from their general use.)
I would also oppose the new construction of any new toll roads if they were to be constructed with funds derived from the general fund or gasoline tax.
The reason being is one of principle. Subsidized (by way of the general fund or gasoline taxes) toll roads would benefit the wealthier segment of our population at the expense of the taxpaying public. If the roads were self-supporting and revenue generating, then I would support and not oppose the concept.
Travis,
We actually had a much larger surplus than that. (see 2/15 entry; it's grown since then). Of the surplus, we did put $120 million toward transportation (and were seriously villified for doing it). I discussed the reasons for this in several places (1/27, 1/29, and 1/31). The House drove this issue, and I'm proud we did.
Dean,
I agree. The elitist argument seems to fade for roads that wouldn't have been built anytime soon, but for the money the users pay.
I should have said "elitism" argument.
We have a little privately built and run 1-mile-long toll road up in Ogden that costs $1 per use. It cuts several miles off traversing between two points. I occasionally use it to go to my in-laws' place, especially at times of day when the two regular routes are crowded. It's never crowded.
I like this idea. I didn't pay to build the road. I have a choice whether to use it or not. Ain't capitalism grand?
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