Brent Spence Toll Bridge? (Cincinnati, Kent: lease, houses, employment)

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

They are, but they also pay to maintain the bridges, too, which need painting, striping, lighting, resurfacing, etc. etc. etc.

If that was the only criteria, every road in this country would be a toll road, not just bridges.

[Briolat21]

I think its ironic that Louisville is using tolls to fund its projects - but N. Ky apparently wants none of that.

Especially since the major burden of the tolls would fall o the trucking companies that utilize the I-75 corridor (i.e. not locals, who might reroute to smaller/less direct routes).

Ultimately - the bridge is a choke point, you'll either expand the crossing options at some point (when the traffic becomes ungodly) - or the inability to do so will begin to restrict growth for the combined region. Clearly at this point, the good folks of KY are willing to take that risk.

[WILWRadio]

Originally Posted by unusualfire

Pay it off? Are you kidding? Tolls are forever.

Not in all cases. I mentioned this one a while back. And I am sure there are others.

Connecticut Turnpike - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[WILWRadio]

Originally Posted by Briolat21

I think its ironic that Louisville is using tolls to fund its projects - but N. Ky apparently wants none of that.

Especially since the major burden of the tolls would fall o the trucking companies that utilize the I-75 corridor (i.e. not locals, who might reroute to smaller/less direct routes).

Ultimately - the bridge is a choke point, you'll either expand the crossing options at some point (when the traffic becomes ungodly) - or the inability to do so will begin to restrict growth for the combined region. Clearly at this point, the good folks of KY are willing to take that risk.

The project in Louisville was Federally funded from what I understand. And since one of those bridges is downtown it would be wise to wait to see what kind of impact it will have on daily commuters. This is the FIRST time a bridge on a downtown interstate segment has been tolled. I don't think the people of KY want to spend nearly 3 billion dollars for something that is unproven and will lead to problems on the city streets of NKY. Tens of thousands of people commute to and from work in KY to OH and probably vice versa in the Cincinnati area. To say the Trucking Companies will bear the burden is wrong especially since far more cars use the highway than trucks.

[WILWRadio]

I might add. Now that the toll issue seems to be put to rest at least for a few years I won't have to think about selling my house in Covington. If they planned to put tolls on this bridge, there ain't no way I would want to start a business in Covington much less own a home anywhere near it especially on the street where my current home is located. The traffic impact would be noticeable to stay the least.

[Briolat21]

when you buy a home that's located in a growing area - especially near a choke point (i.e. a major bridge crossing) - you probably should expect that the situation might change at somepoint in the future.

I know that's been a big issue with community growth up my way - people leave Mason to lebanon because its "quiet" - then get upset when Lebanon grows...

[ram2]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

Not in all cases. I mentioned this one a while back. And I am sure there are others.

Connecticut Turnpike - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Try one closer to home - the Ohio Turnpike. Opened in the 1950s and still charging tolls. The same with the PA Turnpike which opened in 1940.

[unusualfire]

The suspension bridge used to be tolled. But in today's environment and costs of inflation. Tolls are not even enough to cover it all. The government is printing money to get some of these projects done.

How much is the toll on the Big Dig project? I doubt that will ever get paid for.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by ram2

Try one closer to home - the Ohio Turnpike. Opened in the 1950s and still charging tolls. The same with the PA Turnpike which opened in 1940.

Their "justification" for keeping the tolls was that they needed to add a third lane AND (finally) upgrade the pathetic toll plazas.

If you would ask the average Ohioan, they would have added an additional lane to I-75 or I-71 which are both far more congested.

[ram2]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

Their "justification" for keeping the tolls was that they needed to add a third lane AND (finally) upgrade the pathetic toll plazas.

That is completed. The tolls are still there.