Toll Lanes Coming To I-4?

[thelakelander]

Let me get this right.  $2.7 billion for HSR between Orlando and Tampa was a boondoggle but $2.3 billion to widen I-4 IN DOWNTOWN ORLANDO is worth doing?  Wow!

With Mica onboard, tolled 'Lexus lanes' on I-4 may get rolling

Florida Department of Transportation officials are excited by Mica's new stand because they think toll lanes could speed up a planned $2.3 billion overhaul of I-4 through downtownOrlando. Right now, there is no money for the 21-mile project.

"By allowing states to toll new capacity on interstate highways, FDOT will be able to reduce congestion on our highways, which will improve the quality of life of our citizens and visitors," FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad said.

Noranne Downs, who runs FDOT in Central Florida, said her office is studying whether tolls could be used to jumpstart the I-4 work. Possibilities include borrowing money off the future revenue to start construction or joining forces with a private company that would be repaid with the fees.

Full article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mica-interstate-4-tolls-20110719,0,6189120.story

[ChriswUfGator]

I-4 shouldn't be expanded. I've lived through two such expansions already, it immediately fills up and becomes congested again within a year. Letting it stay the way it is would encourage people to find alternate routes, live closer to work instead of expecting the rest of us to subsidize the 40 mile daily commute from their gated community, and use public transport. Not to mention we'd save a couple billion dollars.

[thelakelander]

I totally agree.

[jandar]

But think of the benefits their buddies who own companies would get, I mean the jobs that would be created.......


Yeah, FDOT makes no sense on at times. Its easier to pour concrete and pave asphalt than it is to come up with a better solution.

[tufsu1]

Toll lanes are the new buzz....right now there is a project on I-595 in Fort Lauderdale adding them...and of course, there are the I-95 express lanes in Miami

fact is, many people in the transportation biz see toll lanes and toll roads as the panacea...and don't think for a minute that there aren't plans to bring them to I10, I-95, and I-295 in jax.

IMO, the addition of new lanes/roads as tolls addresses the cost/revenue issue, but they do little to change people's driving habits or the urban form of our citties and regions.....at some point, you just have to say no more lanes.

[Tacachale]

This kind of thinking is typical of Orlando and the state in general. Population growth? Continue to subsidize exurban sprawl and just widen the roads.

[tufsu1]

This kind of thinking is typical of Orlando and the state in general. Population growth? Continue to subsidize exurban sprawl and just widen the roads.

trust me...it isn't just Florida....other states are looking at toll roads with just as much zeal...heck, Houston is now building a 3rd beltway (Grand Pkwy).

oh, and its not just here in the U.S.....Europe has been leading the way on toll roads for decades...and a few weeks ago I was riding on a brand new open-road tolled expressway in Israel!

[Ocklawaha]

Wonder if they'll "make money?"

OCKLAWAHA

[ubben]

People love to whine and bitch about Jax on metrojax, but one thing always makes me incredibly happy to live in Jacksonville: a visit to Orlando.

[thelakelander]

I have no problem with toll roads.  I just think it's hypocritical to claim 80 miles of HSR for $2.7 billion is a boondoggle and not raise the same feasibility concerns about spending $2.3 billion on widening 21 miles of I-4.

People love to whine and bitch about Jax on metrojax, but one thing always makes me incredibly happy to live in Jacksonville: a visit to Orlando.

Actually, I'm pretty jealous of Orlando's DT revitalization success, getting Sunrail and possibly Orange Blossom Express.

[Tacachale]

Yes, Orlando's downtown is much more vibrant than ours. It's the rest of the metro area that sucks.

[Charles Hunter]

Wonder if they'll "make money?"

OCKLAWAHA

Good question, and I'm guessing ... "no"