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"My understanding is that here in NJ tolls can only be charged on roads with free alternate routes (slower, as you describe, with traffic lights and such - but free). 65 years ago when they built the Garden State Parkway they said the tolls would only be collected long enough to pay for the road; now we pay just to fund the salaries, benefits, and retirements of toll collectors..." Yeh, I used the tolls in NJ while there on business. Their fees are ball-busters for sure. Btw, the first toll in Texas (that I'm aware of) was built during the 1950's which ran from Dallas to Fort Worth. Once paid off maintainence reverted to the state and toll fees were eliminated. It's now known as The Tom Landry Freeway. There's no easy solution to this topic. Here in Texas it's been impossible to raise gasoline taxes. So, with that reality, toll roads seem to be the only solution - other than doing nothing. And, being growth and population is exploding here doing nothing is not a realistic option. So, that's the rest of the story 🙄...

tw, the first toll in Texas (that I'm aware of) was built during the 1950's which ran from Dallas to Fort Worth. Once paid off maintainence reverted to the state and toll fees were eliminated. It's now known as The Tom Landry Freeway.

The difference between then and now, is that at the time we didn't have a 'tollway authority'. Once that bureaucracy was established, no toll road has become free, nor will they. Personally, I hate tolls, and do everything I can to avoid them.

Our tolls in NJ stink but they are nothing compared to tolls to cross into NYC (they can be more than $15 just to cross a bridge - ridiculous). It is hard for NJ to raise the gas tax (though they’ve done it) because it is very easy for people to drive through without stopping for gas even once.