It is a California still life. In this land of mobile ambition and instant communities, life is on hold in the parking lot that is the Riverside Freeway, 10 miles or more going nowhere at all hours of the day on one of the most congested auto corridors in the world.
But like a mirage in the exurban desert, a narrow river of traffic moves swiftly down the middle of this highway. The fast lanes, the 91 Express, are sometimes called Lexus lanes, first class on asphalt. They can turn a two-hour commute to work into a 30-minute zip. For a solo driver, on-time arrival comes with a price: nearly $11 per round trip, a toll collected through electronic signals.
The freeway in places is no longer free. From the backed-up pools of frustration in Chicago’s adjacent counties, to the farthest Virginia fringes of the commute to Washington, to Texas, where plans are under way to build a 4,000-mile network of toll roads, the United States has outgrown its highway system.
But state and federal governments, beset by deficits, say they have barely enough money to service the existing system, let alone build new roads. As a result, nearly two dozen states have passed legislation allowing their transportation systems to operate pay-as-you-go roads, and in many cases, letting the private sector build and run these roads.
I guess this means the old saying “So and so is going places” to refer to someone who is becoming wealthy and famous is really going to take on a whole new meaning. I thought with gas taxes we already had a pay as yougo system, but that seems to be insufficient. Thoughts?
Mr Furious
I don’t know what to day about that…In my quick search on the Federal Gas Tax yesterday (to rebut Rick in comments) it appears that the gas taxes are still only used for transportation, the vast majority (over 80%) going to highways (the rest going to mass transit).
I would have expected that that fund is being raided to pay for other stuff, like never-ending appropriations for Iraq, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. I don’t know what’s going on at the state levels…
If you car pool, these lanes are still free. That highway has the highest per car occupancy in CA, and that’s a good thing, and should be the ultimate goal. You can still save time and commute for free if you don’t drive to work alone, that’s an answer to the charge of “classism.”
Fersboo
With the advent of EZ Pass in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, I would be more than willing to pay tolls for the privilege of driving to work without so much traffic. I find that concept (which is how the Dulles toll road works IIRC) to be worth my money as oppossed to tolls for the sake of tolls (as in NYC and I-95 N of Baltimore to NYC).
Tom
Gas tax revenues are down proportionally because cars are getting better mileage. Some states want to install GPS devices into cars so they can tax you by the mile instead of by the gallon. Of course, that’s an incredibly stupid idea and a totally unnecessary invasion of privacy. Better to raise the gas tax to offset the increase in MPG.
Ian
Makes plenty of sense. You pay either way, either with cash or with your time. I believe, though am not positive, that some toll roads in California have variable tolls depending on congestion. Congestion tolls seem to have worked in London too.
Kimmitt
The horrors of mass transit and houses which have fewer than 5,000 square feet must be stopped at all costs. I, for one, am proud to pay $200 in tolls every month as I drive to work.
JG
The freeway system in Phoenis blows. Good thing I work 5 minutes from home.
aw
So are they going to use eminent domain to get the land for these private roads?
Dan S.
America’s future.