The Price of Congestion
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Nobody likes traffic. Except for maybe a motorcyclist or two who like the thrill of cutting in and out of lanes while passenger cars sit, idling away gas and patience. Similar to cities such as New York (as the most visible – and costly) where regular toll fares increase as congestion mushrooms, Los Angeles is considering the addition of a toll lane on three major freeways that would charge drivers based on the amount of congestion on the road.
Steve Hymon of the Los Angeles Times reported, “Officials here are seeking federal money to put toll lanes initially on three freeways, including the 210 and 10 in the San Gabriel Valley and the 110 south of downtown. The 60 Freeway is next on the list.
The tolls would vary by time of day and be highest during rush hour. Single-occupant cars would probably pay the most to use the lanes,” (http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/14/local/me-roadsage14).
Economic and environmental concerns top the list of reasons to convert the lanes with advocates arguing that the measure would improve current conditions. The amount of traffic on the road would inevitably lessen (just like it did when gas prices went up – suggesting that people really don’t want to – or can’t – pay even more to drive.) Meanwhile, opponents of the measure believe such a toll would tax an already financially burdened lower and middle class. (More on that topic in a yet-to-be published blog.)
Similar plans were proposed in San Francisco as well, but were quickly vetoed on August 8th by the San Francisco Transportation. According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Authority voted down the plan and will instead As an alternative, the Authority agreed to take money from the federal gas tax to buy new parking meters that will be used to charge significantly higher rates for parking based on the time of day.
Currently - $213 million dollars from the Federal Government sits on the laps of local and state lofficials.
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