First posted on the 'Alex's Weblog' page
Posted by: Alex Marshall
Can Highways pay? This writer Timothy Egan for the Times, who often writes about the Pacific Northwest and growth management, in a story about new toll roads today, suggests that yes, they can. If this is indeed a trend, it's 'an interesting one. From my historical research I've come to the conclusion that roads rarely can pay for themselves through tolls. They may be able to meet operating costs. If this Texas consortium tries to make money through building a highway across the state, it will be interesting to watch. Will they really have to pay for the entire cost of the road through tolls? Or will the government be helping out in some way? If they do try to pay for the whole thing, will they go broke? I bet they will. You heard it here first.Categories: Transportation | bad planning