How sweat it is. According to the front page of today’s OC Register our brotherly neighbor to the east, Riverside County, has just announced plans to widen the 91 freeway. They plan to add not one but TWO toll lanes in each direction from the Orange County line along with one non toll lane ending at Interstate 15. So while we address the need to provide SR 91 traffic relief when they come to OC and approve Measure M, with the 91 being our top priority, we will now get a double hit as many will pay the toll in addition to another 30 years of Measure M taxes.
I seem to recall my suggesting we wait on Measure M to see the outcome of Propositions 1A and 1B which may be the funding sources for a chunk of this expansion.
Yes, I do recognize that traffic is bi-directional. Those of us living in LA and OC also travel through Riverside County on our way to Palm Springs or Lost Wages.
In truth we need to keep an open mind regarding future freeway congestion relief. former Transportation Sec Norman Mineta and others have been saying for months that the future solution to congestion will entail partnerships with the private sector which translated means more toll roads.
And for the readers. Having just approved Measure M for the next 30 years what is your position on paying tolls on roads in southern CA?
Tolls are good! That is the only way to cut traffic congestion. Look at London!
To pay off some of CA’s state debt, some of the free lanes should be leased to the toll road authority for 30 or so years.
Make them all toll roads.
or sale/lease off the rights for private roads (toll/membership).
As long as the government owns the roadways, they will charge us again and again for the same trip and use the proceeds on whatever is their pleasure.
PS: As a reader recently reminded me let me share her comments.
As Orange County taxpayers we pay off part of the Prop 1A and 1B Bond obligations, Measure M taxes, 18 cents per gallon fuel taxes to SAC, 18.4 cents per gallon to D.C. and now will be paying every time we drive on the extended 91 Tollroad as we leave O.C.
LG. 2020. No, not the TV program. The future. Our government will simplify the transportation issue by installing microchips in every one of our cars and trucks so that we can be billed on a mileage basis every time we drive our vehicles.
This is called spreading the burden regardless of whether or not you drive a Bentley or Model T.
How about increasing Metrolink service between Riverside County and Orange County? If we are serious about reducing congestion on the 91 Freeway, then alternatives to automobile travel need to be considered!