The Hampton Roads Daily Press has a “must-read” editorial that addresses a number of the schemes to pay for transportation improvements. It provides a little bit of a history lesson, too. Among the ideas it challenges is that public-private partnerships are a panacea. There are obvious shortcomings with the idea as well as some merit. But a little perspective is needed. We can build more six-lane toll roads, though anyone who travels up I-95 through Delaware knows the back-ups toll booths can cause. But super highways aren’t the only problem. In fact, many local roads are clogged and will only get worse if wider lanes encourage more car travel and development. What are you going to do? Put a toll at stop lights?
Some of the opponents of the 2002 transportation referenda said all taxpayers should bear the brunt of traffic fixes. Wonder where the anti-taxers stand on gas taxes, er, I mean user fees?