Bottom Of The Barrel

Cash Pike

The Transportation Finance Commission recently recommended that the Turnpike [I-90] reinstate the tolls in Western Massachusetts [exits 1 through 6] as well as for exit 16 in West Newton. Additionally then have recommended a 9 cent increase on the gas tax. It is further speculated that they want to place routes 84, 291 and 391 under the control of the Turnpike Authority which would surely mean more tolls. Finally the commission would like to extend the authorities charter from 2017 to indefinitely. The result of their recommendations is more tolls, higher gas prices and more tolls on roads that have never had them before. Interestingly enough, they did not recommend tolls for the roads near Boston [93, 95 or 128]. I wonder if this is because there would be such backlash from the voting public at large that it would never fly in this state? hmmmm...

While I am on the subject, when exactly is the Mass Pike going to be paid for? In May 1954, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority floated a $239 million bond issue to finance the proposed turnpike. Following the success of other turnpike issues in the Northeast, the Mass Pike bonds were sold out in three hours. The authority was projected to take in $500 million in revenue from both tolls and turnpike concessions over a 30-year period. It would seem that the road has been paid for several times over yet continues to be a toll road and now is being used to partially finance the Big Dig. This is the ultimate hypocrisy given that the Big Dig's main benefactors are those drivers who travel North - South, not East - West. If the Big Dig has gone 10 Billion dollars over budget, why not put a toll in Dorchester and Somerville which would create revenue from the drivers who take the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge or the expressway. Or maybe us Metro West folks should try this method of toll paying? It seemed to work out for that guy.

Part 2 tomorrow with the 5 questions from the BOTB to our gubernatorial candidates. Stay Tuned.

posted by TheWino @ 10:45 AM