The proposed Pinal North-South Freeway - a potential toll road? (Phoenix: excise tax, move)

[Pink Jazz]

I don't know if this goes in the Arizona forum or the Phoenix forum, so I will post it here in the Arizona forum.

For those who don't know what I am talking about, the Pinal North-South Freeway is a proposed freeway between Apache Junction and Eloy. It currently doesn't have an assigned route number, but if connected to SR 88 in Apache Junction, it would probably be numbered as an extension of SR 88.

I was wondering, does anyone think the Pinal North-South Freeway may be built as a toll road? There is currently no funding for this freeway. It is unlikely that SR 24 (Gateway Freeway) and SR 30 (I-10 Reliever) will be built as toll roads due to easy shunpikes available (the US 60 Superstition Freeway and the I-10 Papago Freeway, respectively).

However, there are no easy shunpikes between Apache Junction and Eloy, so I think the Pinal North-South Freeway could potentially be built as a toll road. If it does get built as a toll road, I'd assume it would use all-electronic tolling with the use of transponders and toll-by-plate (the latter for those who do not have a transponder, with a higher rate than the transponder rate).'

What does anyone here think?

[JGMotorsport64]

I think toll roads are a slippery slope.

[jamies]

Better not be if they use public funds.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by jamies

Better not be if they use public funds.

As far as I know, Pinal County doesn't have a tax specifically for freeways, since Proposition 400 only covers Maricopa County. I know Pinal County does have a transportation excise tax, however I think it only covers local roads, not freeways.

[observer53]

I don't see toll roads ever happening in AZ, but I'm in central FL right now. In my visits here, have always been impressed with what the toll roads provide them in terms of well constructed highways taking people where they need to go. So I would not be opposed, but I don't think it will ever happen, not just in that location, but anywhere in AZ.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by observer53

I don't see toll roads ever happening in AZ, but I'm in central FL right now. In my visits here, have always been impressed with what the toll roads provide them in terms of well constructed highways taking people where they need to go. So I would not be opposed, but I don't think it will ever happen, not just in that location, but anywhere in AZ.

There is potential for I-11 to be Arizona's first toll road. Also, there are proposals to convert the HOV lanes in the Phoenix area into HOT lanes, where solo drivers can use them if they pay a toll.

[jamies]

This is what happens when we let people from Commiefornia move here. They want to steal our taxpayer built roads and make us pay extra to drive on them, just like they do over there.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by jamies

This is what happens when we let people from Commiefornia move here. They want to steal our taxpayer built roads and make us pay extra to drive on them, just like they do over there.

The Pinal North-South Freeway is currently unfunded, which is why I see it potentially being built as a toll road. Pinal County doesn't pay the freeway taxes that we have in Maricopa County.

[Hschlick84]

Originally Posted by jamies

This is what happens when we let people from Commiefornia move here. They want to steal our taxpayer built roads and make us pay extra to drive on them, just like they do over there.

We have tolls in Denver, not many people use them. I dislike tolls with a passion. E-470 and Northwest Parkway come to mind. Please, no tolls in Arizona.

The Ten Most Expensive Toll Roads in America | The News Wheel

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

There is potential for I-11 to be Arizona's first toll road. Also, there are proposals to convert the HOV lanes in the Phoenix area into HOT lanes, where solo drivers can use them if they pay a toll.

I've heard all that. Nothing new there. ANY highway has the "potential" to be the first toll road. The HOT lane idea has never been received well here, either. Don't bet on it.