Because the legislature and Governor's involved wanted pet projects and gov't agencies funded.
Opinion | People are dying. The study would also include a report on the number of out-of-state drivers that usually use Michigan highways; which highways would be best suited for a toll; and any potential discounts or credits to decrease the impact of tolling on local drivers. Toll roads are built and paid for by people who want convenience - like in California or Chicago for traffic - this bridge is a MAIN thoroughfare for thousands of Bay City residents, including my family, who can use it up to 4 or 6 times a day depending on what kid needs his Ipod or forgot his shoes or has a ball game that we need to go to. Didn't The Bridge report on the fact that 53% of us felt that Lansing had enough money already for roads? There's no need for toll booths. The city is considering a plan to sell their bridges to a private company, which would rehab and maintain them, but charge a fee to cross. I think one of the problems with the 45 cent tax was it's lack of imagination. Yes! New tolling systems are phenominal, what better way than to have people who want to use the road pay for it! So, most of the cost would be borne by state residents.But, why shouldn't all of that cost be borne by the people who actually use that throughway? No doubt you're familiar with Michigan's most famous bridge, and a toll bridge at that, the mighty Mackinac Bridge. We can have the kids who can't read in third grade operate as toll booth collectors.
Michigan already has tolls on certain bridges, including the Mackinac Bridge connecting the lower and upper peninsulas, the Blue Water Bridge between Sarnia and Port Huron and International Bridge between Sault Ste. No doubt you're familiar with Michigan's most famous bridge, and a toll bridge at that, the mighty Mackinac Bridge. Several nearby states, including Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, also have widespread toll road systems. Marie, MI to Sugar Island, MI, Beaver Island Boat Company/Beaver Island Transit Authority, From Cheboygan, MI to Bois Blanc Isle, MI. One commentor on the newspaper article says. KEY: U = data are unavailable; AVI = automatic vehicle identification. Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
There are only 4 bridges across the Saginaw River in the city. they're terrific at double billing, particularly in Texas. Two of them are owned and maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation while the other two are owned by the city. Fix the damn road safety laws in Michigan. (Shutterstock image), January 28, 2020Riley BegginMichigan Government. I agree with much you say as tolls shouldn't be seen as a money machine to fund all manner of unrelated issues or even non related road expenses, (like we've done with the gas taxes! Not worth all the trouble and to say otherwise go to New Jersey. The answer is nothing.....Any real solution has to include getting the budget back in order and under control. Basically, the only practical option is then is to return most of our roads to gravel, and lower the speed limit to 25 or 30 MPH. Your donation allows us to keep our Michigan-focused reporting and analysis free and accessible to all. If people see tolls as relatively small, conveniently collected and that road is in great shape I'd expect little complaining. Michigan is separated from Ontario, Canada, by bodies of water that make crossing from one country into the other from several cities more unique than just driving across a land border. I guess one has to choose the lesser of two evils, tolling or a gas tax increase. How do they establish and replenish an automated toll account? Michigan roads are a big mess. Even though I live on the west side, there is family on the east, restaurants that I eat at on the east, and many more things. It's all of us vs. This a form of privatization and the taxpayer always lose on that. Dear Reader: We value your thoughts and criticism on the articles, but insist on civility. Subscribe to the Bridge Michigan RSS feed.