Poll Shows Americans Don't Want Tolls

With a lack of funds to take care of all the infrastructure issues we're facing as the national transportation system ages, there has been a lot of talk about turning to tolls to make some additional revenue. Well... maybe that's not the answer.

The Washington Post reports that a new Washington Post-ABC News poll says 66 percent of respondents said they oppose a plan that would grant close to $140 billion in tax credits to investors who put their money into roads, bridges and transit in return for the right to impose tolls.

While the survey didn't mention President Elect Donald J. Trump, prior to the election he proposed giving private investors an 82 percent tax credit to put money into projects. Trump claimed this plan would lead to up to $1 trillion in new projects and that the $137 billion cost of the tax credit would balance out because tax revenue would be recouped by taxing the wages of people the contractors and workers constructing the projects.

The question asked in the Post-ABC poll was:

There is a proposal to offer nearly 140 billion dollars in tax cuts for private companies if they pay to build new roads, bridges and transportation projects. The companies then could charge tolls for people to use these roads, bridges and transportation. Do you support or oppose this proposal? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

Twenty-nine percent of the 1,005 respondents said they would support that plan, with 11 percent backing it strongly and another 18 percent calling themselves "somewhat supportive." Forty-four percent said they were strongly opposed to the idea and 22 percent omewhat opposed.

Could Tolls Be The Answer To the Lack Of Transportation Money?

The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is about to run out of money if things continue like they're going. Considering it funds U.S. highway and transit projects, that could be a MAJOR issue. As a result, the Department of Transportation may begin withholding payments to states this summer for the projects they already have planned.

Lawmakers are currently working to come up with a new funding plan, but they're going to have to be creative, considering the HTF is funded by the gas tax now; the gas tax that's not bringing in enough money because people are driving less and cars are more fuel efficient these days. One idea that's being tossed around that has potential is to place tolls on interstate highways. Right now, states can only toll an interstate highway to pay for the construction of new lanes. The new plan would let states create tolls to pay for maintenance on highways they have no plans to expand.

The Atlantic Cities has more on this idea. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Do Toll Lanes Benefit Wealthier Drivers?

Do toll lanes provide an unequal advantage to wealthier drivers? That's what some drivers are saying. High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes allow people to bypass traffic congestion by using a less-travelled lane. Only you have to pay for it.

Some people say they refuse to pay because they are already paying enough taxes to go to interstates and shouldn't have to pay more. Others say they just can't afford it. And a recent study by the Southern Environmental Law Center shows a correlation between users of those HOT lanes and incomes. In other words, the drivers using the lanes tend to make more money.

Marketplace has the story.

Gubernatorial Debate Hits On Transportation Issues

Last night's Presidential debate may not have dealt with transportation (except for minor references to gas prices) but the final Washington Governor’s debate was also held Tuesday night and the candidates did discuss a couple transportation topics.

Here’s the transcript of an exchange about tolling and light rail, from Transportation Issues Daily.

And also from Transportation Issues Daily, here’s the transcript of a question about reforming and funding the ferry system.