That 18 mile stretch of I-25 from Monument to Castle Rock (Denver: buyers, moving)

[ken_monument]

If one thinks toll roads will solve the issue, try driving in toll road happy Chicago sometime. All lanes packed and if your lucky goin 5-10 mph and then ya get to pay for the "privilege". This piecemeal approach will not last more than 1-2 years before the road is choked - toll or no toll. CDOT/public/politicians needs to start thinking bigger picture.

[Vision67]

Tolls on Colorado interstate expansions likely, popular or not | Colorado Springs Gazette, News

"Colorado adds on an extra "managed" lane where drivers can scoot over, speed up and pay up later. Ideally, the lane pays for itself with tolls and those in the free lanes have fewer vehicles in their path. The price to use the I-70 Mountain Express, the toll lane that accompanies two free lanes costs from $3 to $40 depending on variable circumstances, including how far you go. The dollar amount appears on electronic signs above the lane."

"Managed lanes are like a new form of trickle down economics," said Greg Fulton, president of the Colorado Motor Carriers Association.

Most drivers can't or won't pay the toll for what Fulton and other tolling opponents call "Lexus lanes."

"While higher income individuals are afforded the luxury of significantly reducing their travel time, others with lower means, who cannot afford to be in that lane - or are not in a position to be in a three-person carpool or travel by transit - are stuck in the other lanes hoping for the spill-over or trickle-down benefit from others using the toll lanes," Fulton said.

The article fails to explain why simply raising the gas tax is not being considered.

It seems to me, like it or not, Lexus Lanes are the future of transportation in Colorado.

[Vision67]

State remains committed to I-25 toll lanes despite El Paso County opposition | Colorado Springs Gazette, News

No, we don't want a toll road. But CDOT doesn't listen.

Who elected them? How do we throw them out in the next election???

[Hschlick84]

You guys should create a ballot for people to vote on banning future construction tolls in CO, and removing all current tolls in the state.

CDOT needs to be voted out, always has been and always will be a joke.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by Vision67

State remains committed to I-25 toll lanes despite El Paso County opposition | Colorado Springs Gazette, News

No, we don't want a toll road. But CDOT doesn't listen.

Who elected them? How do we throw them out in the next election???

You don't. And why should you not get a toll lane when every goddamn highway expansion in the state has a toll lane? What makes El Paso County so special (asides from a long history of sucking at the government teat in the name of the free market)?

Now if El Paso County voters want to pony up more money rather than whine about not getting things for free.... then put up or shut up. Propose a state gas tax increase and get your boot-spittle licking GOP leadership behind it.

[LHS79]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

You don't. And why should you not get a toll lane when every goddamn highway expansion in the state has a toll lane? What makes El Paso County so special (asides from a long history of sucking at the government teat in the name of the free market)?

Now if El Paso County voters want to pony up more money rather than whine about not getting things for free.... then put up or shut up. Propose a state gas tax increase and get your boot-spittle licking GOP leadership behind it.

Pretty sure our tax rate in CS is higher than Denver now so I doubt there will be any more tax increases approved for quite a while.

The politicians on BOTH sides are scared to death to put a gas tax to a vote- they need to do that NOW.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by LHS79

Pretty sure our tax rate in CS is higher than Denver now so I doubt there will be any more tax increases approved for quite a while.

The politicians on BOTH sides are scared to death to put a gas tax to a vote- they need to do that NOW.

Oh it is. The overall tax burden is higher in the Springs with fewer services to show for it. Deferred infrastructure investment is a ***** when it finally catches up to you.

But we'll see if both sides can come together for any of the proposed tax increases to pay for transportation infrastructure that will be on the ballot this fall. Voters will probably go for Caldera's Damn Roads bonding proposal that hamstrings the state with debt service- funding that should then be pulled from special needs education to reflect a proper trade-off.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

You don't. And why should you not get a toll lane when every goddamn highway expansion in the state has a toll lane? What makes El Paso County so special (asides from a long history of sucking at the government teat in the name of the free market)?

Now if El Paso County voters want to pony up more money rather than whine about not getting things for free.... then put up or shut up. Propose a state gas tax increase and get your boot-spittle licking GOP leadership behind it.

You're just a little bit naive. This road expansion is going to cost us twice. First we have to pay to build the toll lanes. Then we have to pay again to use the toll lanes.

Sorry, no toll lanes anywhere...ever.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

Oh it is. The overall tax burden is higher in the Springs with fewer services to show for it. Deferred infrastructure investment is a ***** when it finally catches up to you.

But we'll see if both sides can come together for any of the proposed tax increases to pay for transportation infrastructure that will be on the ballot this fall. Voters will probably go for Caldera's Damn Roads bonding proposal that hamstrings the state with debt service- funding that should then be pulled from special needs education to reflect a proper trade-off.

First, we're talking about roads, not sped kids.

Second, anyone who wants to take away services from the most needy people in our nation...well...I won't say anymore.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by phetaroi

You're just a little bit naive. This road expansion is going to cost us twice. First we have to pay to build the toll lanes. Then we have to pay again to use the toll lanes.

Sorry, no toll lanes anywhere...ever.

And that's different from anywhere else in Colorado why? You're paying for roughly 5% of the cost of the project. Congratulations. You've purchased about six miles of new pavement for the four general purpose lanes. You'll get a smoother ride and wider shoulders that should reduce congestion from breakdowns and accidents. If you want more, pay up.