Future state highways 24 and 30 - should they be built as toll roads? (Williams: how much, upkeep)

[Pink Jazz]

The Williams Gateway (AZ 24) and the I-10 Reliever (AZ 30) have been planned for several years now. With funding for these routes unavailable,

I was thinking, should these routes be built as toll roads? After all, tolls are the most economical way of funding highways.

For those opposed to tolls, you are under no obligation to use these roads. With any other funding method (such as fuel taxes), everyone has to pay regardless of whether or not they use them, and those fuel taxes would probably cost more than a toll.

[CodyW]

Your designations are wrong. The Williams Gateway is classified as AZ 802, and the 10 reliever is AZ 801. http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Valley_freeways/Index.asp

In my opinion, the only one that would justify tolls would be the 801 (10 reliever) as it will function as a bypass route.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by CodyW

Your designations are wrong. The Williams Gateway is classified as AZ 802, and the 10 reliever is AZ 801. Valley Freeways

In my opinion, the only one that would justify tolls would be the 801 (10 reliever) as it will function as a bypass route.

According to Wikipedia, those are the old designations:
Arizona State Route 24 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arizona State Route 30 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Bondurant]

Toll roads are a pain in the rear. The toll increases and spreads. Some states, Illinois for example, sold the idea to voters as being temporary. What a swindle! They're still around. How much of the tolls collected go to upkeep of the infrastructure and how much goes into the pocket of an overpaid state worker that gets to sit on a stool all day?

[Vinny536]

I believe in a VERY limited govenment. One of the few functions of government I feel should be funded is infrastructure. including roads. Trim the budget elsewhere and get the roads built.

[pbenjamin]

Looks to me like they are both more or less pointless and would encourage more sprawl. Make them toll roads or have the developers who would benefit from them fund them.

[observer53]

Having visited central FL several times over the last 10 years, I've generally become a fan of toll roads. Especially for the bypass, if that's what it takes to get them built, I'd say go for it.

[CodyW]

Originally Posted by Andros 1337

According to Wikipedia, those are the old designations:
Arizona State Route 24 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arizona State Route 30 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hmm. Neat! Wonder what warranted the number change.

Toll roads can be successful and easy to use when implemented correctly. Florida in particular seems to have done a good job of it.

[infantry]

Only if you increase speed limits :0

[musicforme]

I used to be a fan of toll roads for the reasons you mentioned.

The problem is the tolls never end. Dallas has a toll road called the North Dallas Tollway that was finally paid for several years ago. The problem is that a series of connected highways part of that system continues to grow and the previously paid for roads still have tolls to help fund the additional growth. As a side note, I found it amusing a couple years ago they named part of the system after the first George Bush, the one who raised taxes.

For the Dallas area, it appears to be a never ending cycle once it gets started.