Orlando driving and toll roads (Tampa, Altamonte Springs: credit, buy, living)

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by Consigliere

The tolls lanes being constructed on I-4 will only alleviate congestion for those willing or able to pay the tolls to drive in them....when they are completed 6 or 7 years down the road.

For those unwilling or unable to pay the tolls, they will see NO improvement over the level of service (amount of congestion delays) they currently experience.

They will from those cars that end up traveling in the toll lanes

[Consigliere]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

They will from those cars that end up traveling in the toll lanes

Unfortunately, those unwilling or not able to afford to pay to travel in the toll lanes will see no improvement over the level of service (amount of congestion delay) they currently experience in the I-4 GP lanes. There is way to much latent demand.

[boy3365]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

A system similar to Seattle would have been great. They built more lanes in the median (blocked off of course to avoid collisions or confusion). They are called express lanes, so depending on the flow of traffic, they will either open it Northbound or Southbound. It's free to use, the catch is they have very limited exits, hence, express lanes.

The Selmon Expressway in Tampa (downtown to Brandon area??) is like that. It's neat, but it's not free...

[KYBob]

I live about 35 miles NW of Orlando and use the toll roads when going to the airport. I have been able to rationalize it in two ways.

First, I believe that I save in gas what I pay in tolls.

Second, it takes me 45 minutes to get to the airport (3 stop lights going, two coming back) using toll roads, and 1 1/2 to two hours using non toll roads. I will do almost anything to avoid traveling long distances on Orange Blossom Trail (I call it the "Just Shoot Me Highway") where you drive for a block to the next stoplight and wait, drive to the next stoplight and wait, drive to the next stoplight and wait ..........

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by Consigliere

Unfortunately, those unwilling or not able to afford to pay to travel in the toll lanes will see no improvement over the level of service (amount of congestion delay) they currently experience in the I-4 GP lanes. There is way to much latent demand.

Same thing happens in Miami. Either you pay up during high congestion periods, or suffer with everyone else on the regular I95 lanes. Too much population growth and a gas tax that hasn't been raised in 20 years

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by KYBob

I live about 35 miles NW of Orlando and use the toll roads when going to the airport. I have been able to rationalize it in two ways.

First, I believe that I save in gas what I pay in tolls.

Second, it takes me 45 minutes to get to the airport (3 stop lights going, two coming back) using toll roads, and 1 1/2 to two hours using non toll roads. I will do almost anything to avoid traveling long distances on Orange Blossom Trail (I call it the "Just Shoot Me Highway") where you drive for a block to the next stoplight and wait, drive to the next stoplight and wait, drive to the next stoplight and wait ..........

not to mention that scenery

[WithDisp]

I think the biggest thing most people ignore is the unforgivable I4 to 408 interchange.
This is the cause of a good portion of rush hour traffic.

Even without I4 ultimate, if that were fixed, Orlando's i4 traffic problems would shrink significantly.
So without paying for toll roads that benefit will at least be added.

[boy3365]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Tolls are part of the equation in most any state in terms of newer road construction and especially in a state where one doesn't pay any state or local income taxes, so factor that into your math when having that moment. I would definitely recommend SunPass to avoid long lines at the toll booths.

This prompted me to see how much state income tax I would owe in other places. I ran the numbers on online calculators for three states. Yep. I'd rather pay tolls.

And it looks like we have the best roads in the country.

What's the Best State in America for Its Roads and Bridges?

Florida ranks best in the nation for roads, bridges - Orlando Sentinel

[bmw335xi]

The roads in Florida are great compared to a lot of states. The complaints people make about Florida roads are they aren't black, but who cares. Here in San Francisco we have so many pot holes, some very deep that it wrecks your car. I've had to get 6 new tires in a couple years. I got a cracked rim from a deep pot hole and some area I literally have to drive on the median to avoid going into a patch of many pot holes.

[totsuka]

I rarely use the tool roads because they seem expensive and find it pretty easy to get around town without them.