“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.”
Well, I have no affinity for toll roads either. But, I don’t see another solution. I would be interested in yours.
When a toll road is paid off, it should become a non-toll road. That's pretty straightforward, and I wouldn't object to them nearly as much. This would be especially easy today as they don't even build toll booths anymore.
My primary objection to toll roads is how freaking expensive they are, especially when you compare it to gas taxes on a per-mile basis. I think we're paying .35¢ per gallon here in Texas. I get about 40mpg on my motorcycle, and 30mpg in my car, so you're looking at a range of less than a penny per mile to a little bit more than a penny per mile. Compare that to $3 to travel just a few miles on a toll road. I used to have to commute a pretty long distance to my job, and saved myself almost $300/month in tolls alone when I moved across the metroplex to be closer to my job. I wouldn't object nearly as much if you could pay a quarter, to get to where you're going, but that is not what is happening.