Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Drove to the Museum of Life and Sciences in Durham from US-64 in Apex today (Saturday) at 10:30AM, then back at 1:30PM. Took NC 147 and NC 540 - Triangle Expressway, the toll road (that frankly I *love*, even with the toll).
On NC 147, there must have been a total of 8 cars across *both sides* of the Hwy over the 3.5'ish mile stretch. Both trips, to/from the museum.
On NC 540, there were probably 10-15 total cars heading my direction, and I passed probably 20-25 the other. Over the 6-7 mi stretch, both trips.
I cannot see how this volume of off-peak traffic helps pay off the bonds used to fund the construction of this road as quickly as they could. I get the toll rates during peak times. But off-peak, especially given there are no toll plazas, perhaps the NC DOT could set adjusting toll rates as VA DOT does on I-495 in/around DC and the Georgia DOT does in Atlanta to encourage usage? Any idea if they've investigated this?
But off-peak, especially given there are no toll plazas, perhaps the NC DOT could set adjusting toll rates as VA DOT does on I-495 in/around DC and the Georgia DOT does in Atlanta to encourage usage? Any idea if they've investigated this?
What a great idea Perhaps General Tata will make that his 1st priority now that DoT is in charge of the Turnpike Authority. Just think of the relief it would add to the already crowded roads in Morrisville and Apex if people had an incentive to use the Toll Road during off peak times. And as you suggest, the additional users would help pay off the bonds or at least make some contribution towards the interest charge.
I like that idea. One thing I am baffled by is why the need for mile markers every .2 miles? Chump change in the grand scheme, but a bit ridiculous on the face of it.
Yeah, agreed re: mile markers .. I guess we could make the same argument about the 'aesthetics' of the bridges
Anyway .. I emailed the NC DOT Board of Directors (couldn't find anywhere how to email Tony Tata directly) .. have limited confidence they'll respond but if they do will post it here.
RE: mile markers. I'm guessing that when the new highways were built that the state required them to follow state construction standards even though they weren't 100% state funding.
Those standards probably call for the more-frequent mileage markers as a safety & convenience factory. Since almost everyone now has a cellphone, it makes sense on a heavily driven section to have more, since if you have a breakdown you can call for help and give the police/fire/repair people a more exact location.
Every new limited access highway in the state has fractional mile markers. The cost is a drop in the bucket relative to overall project cost.
Off-peak pricing makes sense when it generates incremental income. I doubt that's the case with toll road -- unless the peak price during rush hours is also increased. That's a step toward dynamic pricing, which is being implemented in HOV lanes of I-495 in northern Virginia. Will be interesting to see how well it works.
The pay lanes on I-95 in Miami have wildly differing pricing depending on the time of day and day of week. This is done to leverage the pain of driving I95 during rush hours and then using that pain to squeeze as much money as possible out of the desperate and those late to meetings/appointments/work. Until the TriEx becomes super crowded and backed up, I doubt it will see varying rates.
I agree that I like the toll road quite a bit. The NC147 extension isn't very busy even at rush hour, although 540 sees quite a bit of traffic. I even noticed a steady stream of traffic yesterday evening.
Slightly off topic but the trip from Apex to the museum of Life and Sciences in Durham will become completely painless when the East End Connector is built (Construction begins next year.) I am looking forward to this.
I'm still confused about where the east end connecter will begin/end in Durham.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Great Idea for offpeak Tolls
Perhaps General Tata will make that his 1st priority now that DoT is in charge of the Turnpike Authority. Just think of the relief it would add to the already crowded roads in Morrisville and Apex if people had an incentive to use the Toll Road during off peak times. And as you suggest, the additional users would help pay off the bonds or at least make some contribution towards the interest charge.
