They are too high! We urge changes to the proposed toll structure for the Intercounty Connector in order to achieve its primary purpose--relieving congestion on nearby local streets. Today, my colleagues unanimously supported the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee’s three recommendations.
First, we believe the tolls should be lower than the proposed range of $0.25 to $0.35 per mile for peak periods and $0.20 to $0.30 per mile for off peak periods. We also think that phasing in the rates, rather than implementing the full toll once the first segment opens, will encourage drivers to start using the highway right away, and will help ease the pain.
Second, we encourage the State to offer a discount pass for frequent users, as is the case with other toll facilities in Maryland. Again, making the ICC a truly viable option for commuters and other heavy users is our best bet for congestion relief on our arterial roads.
Finally, we request that tolls be set so that exiting the highway at Georgia Avenue or Layhill Road will cost the same amount. This will discourage through-traffic in Longmead Crossing.
Representatives from the SHA attended today’s Council meeting and heard our recommendations. We will follow up with a formal letter to the SHA stressing our desire to make maximum use of the ICC and our recommendations for making that happen.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Our Views on the Proposed ICC Tolls
Posted by
Councilmember Nancy Floreen
Labels:
ICC,
transportation
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5 comments:
Dear Councilwoman Floreen,
Can we have the numbers as to what proposed toll decreases and frequent use discounts will have on debt service for the ICC?
How will this affect the final price tag of the road after all is said and done?
I suspected the 8-11 dollar range I was hearing was never realistic nor was it ever going to happen. So this appeal is not unexpected.
We're saying we want cheaper tolls and a discount pass, but we didn’t say specifically what the tolls should be and what the cost of the pass would be.
The final price tag is not affected by this – what it affects is where the money is coming from. If the State lowers tolls on the ICC, it probably means higher tolls on other toll bridges, tunnels, and highways.
Right, Nancy. You lobbied to get your $4 billion boondoggle, but now you want drivers in other parts of the state to pay for even more of it.
You'd like to be seen as a climate champion, but instead, you champion a highway that the state's studies show will trigger 700 million miles of additional driving per year, as well as thousands of acres of sprawl, which will add even more driving.
Global warming is accelerating, but you want lower tolls to encourage MORE driving?
With corporate Democrats like you, who needs Republicans?
The county taxpayers need to wake up. She and her fellow gridlock frauds are paying off the developers in exchange for campaign money.
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