(I-80) County may get toll booth

Centre Daily Times ^ | 7/3/07 | Mike Joseph

[Gay State Conservative]

Bottom line: Massachusetts, like New jersey, chose to pay for the costs of maintenance and improvements by issung new bonds, thus containing the costs within an authority bound by bond covenants. Connecticut had all of America pay for its improvements. Which was better? Judge for yourself.

Given that,among other things,Massachusetts is one of the biggest "contributors" (per capita) to the US Treasury I'd say that America can,at the very least,help pay for the maintenance of I-90.

[PAR35]

They need to take lessons from Texas on how to rob the taxpayers.

[Publius]

Very astute observation.

Of all the northeastern states, Pennsylvania was the last to get its highways out of the mud. And that was the work of Gov. Gifford Pinchot, who was elected in 1926. By that time, states like New Jersey were far ahead of their neighbors.

[Alberta's Child]

Pennsylvania is probably one of the most difficult jurisdictions for managing/operating a system of roads. In addition to the weather-related issues I mentioned above, it's also a state that has a lot of roadway miles in sparsely-populated areas where the level of economic activity simply doesn't support that kind of roadway infrastructure.

I understand you have a similar problem with medical facilities in rural areas, don't you?

[Alberta's Child]

Given that,among other things,Massachusetts is one of the biggest "contributors" (per capita) to the US Treasury I'd say that America can,at the very least,help pay for the maintenance of I-90.

The level of tax revenues isn't relevant in that regard. The only real consideration should be whether the roadway in question functions as an economic asset across a wide, multi-state region. I'd say I-80 in Pennsylvania more closely fits that description than almost any road in Massachusetts. Ironically, I-80 in PA is almost as important to the people of Massachusetts as I-90 in MA is.

[Publius]

Rural eastern Washington is a vast volcanic grassland with a fine network of 2-lane state highways and 3 freeways (I-82, I-90 and US 395). It is also sparsely populated, and the people who live there appreciate that.

But it creates all kinds of problems for services, especially the emergency variety.

[Gay State Conservative]

Ironically, I-80 in PA is almost as important to the people of Massachusetts as I-90 in MA is.

Yup,and Massachusetts is just a backwater that means nothing to anybody (economically,that is).Why,if you stand on the shoulder of either I-90 or I-95 in the state you'd be lucky to see 10 cars go by in the typical hour.

[Tallguy]

You’re right, of course, about the State controlling what would otherwise be considered ‘county’ roads. Shifting those roads to local jurisdictions would however create a new responsibility & higher taxes at that level.

There is no denying that Pennsylvania roads simply don’t last very long. Part of it is the geology; part the climate. But I can’t help thinking that if the roadbeds were properly designed we wouldn’t be replacing nearly as many miles of roads during “construction season.”

[Alberta's Child]

If I-90 in Massachusetts were to disappear tomorrow, the impact would be felt primarily by Massachusetts residents.

If I-80 in Pennsylvania were to disappear tomorrow, the impact would be felt by about 25% of the U.S. population.

[Safetgiver]

One of the points MR. Rendell has made is that local traffic won’t be tolled. If I can, I will run SR36, 322 and 208 to upset the idiot’s greedy plan. After all, WE paid for the damn road many times over. Why should I pay for BARTA, SEPTA and whatever they call Allegheny County’s giveaway?

[Kay Ludlow]

One of the points MR. Rendell has made is that local traffic won’t be tolled. If I can, I will run SR36, 322 and 208 to upset the idiot’s greedy plan

I completely understand. Unfortunately, frequent travelers will look for alternate routes as well, increasing the traffic on local roads.