Orlando Toll Roads

[CS Foltz]

lake ....got no problem with the pay as you play scenerio........but need to point out that most Interstates are Federal maintained highways. Bearing that in mind I need to point out the I95 northbound becomes a toll road in Virginia out of the clear blue sky! First time I ever ran into a Federal Interstate Highway that become a toll road with no warning what so ever! There is also another one just like in running west out of Kansas City toward Witchita but at least that one is not only marked but lots of warning you fixing to run into it. Good road but tolls are kinda wonky......tolls to pay for the road is one thing but what about when the road is paid for?

[thelakelander]

A road is never paid for.  As long as its in operation, there will be costs associated with its maintenance.

[CS Foltz]

Not a problem lake......note I did say "Interstate"! That is Federal money (yes I know our tax money!) and Federal controled and maintained with our tax money! A toll road is something else......private enterprise hard at work, making a buck for the investors and money to take care of itself! 

[tufsu1]

no CS....tolls are used by both public and private entities to offset roadway costs or other expenses...in fact, there are very few private highways in the U.S. (likely less than 25)

For example, Delaware charges quite a bit for people to traverse the 15 miles of I-95 in the state (around $4)...but they get enough money from people driving through that they have no need for a sales tax.

[CS Foltz]

Well now this is confusing. I10 starts and stops in Jacksonville. I can not vouch past Phoenix Airizona but to there, no tolls! Interstate, Federal Highway, taxpayer paid,supported and maintained. Excluding toll roads sold to foreign entity's either Federal,State or county......numbers indicated which and direction. I have always planned routes that do not use Toll roads since my tax dollars are used to maintain the Federal System and most of the time that is the shortest most direct route, but not always. I would not consider the Interstate System a private highway since Ike set about building it out, one of the biggest public works project of it day. Nice little sign in the middle of nowhere west of Kansas City that marks first section to be built in the US of A.

[Charles Hunter]

Two things can lead to tolls on the Interstate.  First, the toll road could have been in place first, and the Interstate hooked into it - like the Trout River and Fuller Warren Bridges here back in the late 1950s.  Second, because of declining highway (gas tax) revenues, recently, states have been given the right to put tolls on Interstates.  I think they have to get the Fed's permission first.

[thelakelander]

CS Foltz, there are now toll express lanes on I-95 in Miami-Dade County.

[kramer2k]

I use Branan Field to Argyle Forest twice a day, everyday.  I just realized when they put the "Future Toll Road" signs up that that was going to be the case.  I've been in a hole I suppose.  I'll just go an alternate route (Schindler to 103rd) to avoid the road when the toll begins.  Is that a bad thing to do?  I sort of feel guilty about going around it.  Wouldn't it get pricey to pay a toll twice a day, everyday?

[Ocklawaha]

CS Foltz, there is nothing west of Phoenix on I-10 as far as tolls are concerned. The Expressway ends in Santa Monica BTW, not in LA.. As if Jacksonville would have had enough sense in the 1950's to carry I-10 to the San Pablo River.

kramer2k, It's a pure supply and demand situation, if the toll road is in your neighborhood and you choose to use a left handed pogo stick, or a jon boat on McGirts Creek to get to work, it's really not anybody's business. So power to the people with pogo sticks, you're still a patriot!

OCKLAWAHA

[tufsu1]

Just thinking about up north, I-76, I-80, I-90 and others are turnpikes for states like NY, PA, OH, and IL.

Also think about all the bridges/tunnels that have tolls on them (everything in Baltimore, Philly, and New York areas at a minimum)....most of them are interstate facilities.

Here's the problem...Federal income taxes don't pay for roads...and the Federal gas tax has not been increased for 16 years.....so oddly enough the transportation trust fund is now broke.

Since people have such an aversion to tax increaes, toll roads (user fees) are the future for both the interstate system and other regional highways!

[CS Foltz]

OK gentlemen....I can see just where this is going and whether I agree or not.....tolls appear to be what is coming for sure. I agree with the general concensus and for sure can not dispute the "pay as you go" program! Have not been to Miami in 20 years plus....closest was Ft Lauderdale when Alligator Alley was not a toll road so that tells you how long ago that was. When you have a choice most would not choose a toll road anywhere, I know that I would not which is why Masstransit via rails should be the coming thing! I don't care if it is via Amtrak or FEC or a local yokel trying to make a ton of money.........either way we need to get going on a rail system ASAP and not trying to make up for lost ground and time! The same situation applies to the City of Jacksonville.......rail would be the best incentive for downtown development and moving more than the 6 people that ride a bus!

[Charles Hunter]

Oh, I don't know, if the toll road can avoid heavy traffic ... like that toll road around Orlando vs. going thru O-town at rush hour.

[thelakelander]

I'd still take I-4 through Orlando at rush hour.  You can move on the Greenway, but it loops you so far out of the way and costs so much, you're better off sitting in gridlock.  I've done it a few times.  The time difference is really insignificant.

[Charles Hunter]

Depends on where you're going - if going to the east side of town, it can be better - either that, or every time I go thru town, there's a wreck! 

[thelakelander]

True.  My trips are typically right through metro Orlando to get to Lakeland.