[Cambium]

Vote Count so far:

19 Yes
19 No
2 Unsure.

I could of been the tie breaker. lol



I was traveling on 287 the other day and when I passed the Tappan Zee Bridge both ways I realized THERE WAS NO MORE TOLL PLAZA. Didn't even see any overhead scanners (I might have missed)


Just checked my account and sure enough, $5 was deducted. Guess plazas will be a thing of the past soon.


BTW - The new bridge is looking amazing!! Higher and wider.


Tappan Zee Bridge: Cashless tolls start April 23

[KEVIN_224]

See? No Stratford 1983 mess! That's a lot like what's in place on I-90/Massachusetts Turnpike already!

[Matrix2791]

I voted unsure. I would like to see State residents get significant discounts on tolls, and also a lock box put on revenue generated. My problem with the lockbox is, I doubt the State will honor it and will take the money and use it for non-transportation spending. Also I would like to see the gas tax reduced, along with the sales tax. Again the only way I can support this is if the lockbox can be guaranteed!

[nico7]

To me it's a no-brainer. People who use the road should be the ones who pay for it. Tolls, please.

[Henry10]

I still can't believe that some people still trust the same thieves, even after getting robbed several times. And no, there will be no lockbox, Hartford made it very clear, and there are no sacred cows.

So yes, toll revenue will find its way into the general fund, and pay for other "freebies" to some, while robbing the middle class.

[Matrix2791]

Originally Posted by nico7

To me it's a no-brainer. People who use the road should be the ones who pay for it. Tolls, please.

So paying the gas tax is not considered paying for the roads? Well damn! The State better pay me back all that money I paid in gas taxes when I filled up at the pumps all these years.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Matrix2791

So paying the gas tax is not considered paying for the roads? Well damn! The State better pay me back all that money I paid in gas taxes when I filled up at the pumps all these years.

As was explained, the gas tax is not generating enough money. Between a fixed tax that has not been in decades and ever increasing fuel efficiency, it will not be long before we can not maintain our roads let alone improve them. It is a problem all states are facing. Many are raising taxes. Connecticut lawmakers are resisting that but it will not be long before they have no choice but to do something. Jay

[Robert137]

Originally Posted by Cambium

Vote Count so far:

19 Yes
19 No
2 Unsure.

I could of been the tie breaker. lol



I was traveling on 287 the other day and when I passed the Tappan Zee Bridge both ways I realized THERE WAS NO MORE TOLL PLAZA. Didn't even see any overhead scanners (I might have missed)


Just checked my account and sure enough, $5 was deducted. Guess plazas will be a thing of the past soon.


BTW - The new bridge is looking amazing!! Higher and wider.


Tappan Zee Bridge: Cashless tolls start April 23

I understand that the toll on the new bridge will be something like 3X the current toll.

[Matrix2791]

Originally Posted by JayCT

As was explained, the gas tax is not generating enough money. Between a fixed tax that has not been in decades and ever increasing fuel efficiency, it will not be long before we can not maintain our roads let alone improve them. It is a problem all states are facing. Many are raising taxes. Connecticut lawmakers are resisting that but it will not be long before they have no choice but to do something. Jay

Who are you kidding? You and I both know that the State doesn't solely use gas tax revenue on roads only. Had there been a lock box on the proceeds all these years, we probably could of made some major repairs to our roads without significant tax increases. It's incredibly naive to think the State will do the right thing when the tolls come online, considering how bad their track record. I just can't understand your trust in politicians.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Matrix2791

Who are you kidding? You and I both know that the State doesn't solely use gas tax revenue on roads only. Had there been a lock box on the proceeds all these years, we probably could of made some major repairs to our roads without significant tax increases. It's incredibly naive to think the State will do the right thing when the tolls come online, considering how bad their track record. I just can't understand your trust in politicians.

What choice do we have? Ignoring the problem solves nothing and only adds to the problem. The Governor and many of our Legislators are trying to get a lockbox put on this but is meeting resistance from those who want some flexibility.

Even if there is a lockbox placed on the toll funds, what things do you include as acceptable to use the funds for? Do you include things like State Police patrols that ensures enforcement of laws and answers emergency calls or CTDOT engineering, maintenance and administration staff that keep the highway in good working order and handle funding of it? It is not a simple answer and must be addressed. I never said this was a simple solution or that we can trust our government to do what is best, but doing nothing is worse than making a bad decision IMHO. Jay