March 30, 200619 yr That's part of it. Equally important are better maintained roads and bridges, plus transit services in cities as well as in some rural areas. But of probably greatest importance are higher-capacity rail freight corridors, where more fast intermodal freight can be accommodated. Read this article from Popular Mechanics that came out in January.... http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/transportation/2170022.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 30, 200619 yr That's an excellent article, both informed and informative. It's far above the quality of what gets published in a lot of media. For some time to come, most of North America's passenger rail service will be tied to the freight railroads; the acquisition and construction costs associated with dedicated high-speed rail rights-of-way are just too great for the public to accept because of the distances involved, compared with many other parts of the world that have denser development and more advanced passenger rail systems. The same technical innovations that increase safety, speeds and capacity of freight trains can make it possible to integrate passenger rail into existing rail networks with fewer delays and more reliable on-time operation.
March 30, 200619 yr Rob, I agree that the higher level of freight rail traffic in the U.S. (versus Europe) somewhat hinders our ability to develop high-speed rail. I don't think the public is unwilling to spend money to improve rail, though. Virginia, for example, is spending millions of dollars to add river crossings and third tracks to the CSX line between Washington and Richmond so that delays on existing service can be reduced, as well as accommodate future service (including high speed rail to Charlotte).
March 31, 200619 yr DaninDC.... a recent Harris Poll backs you up on that point. People want more and better rail service for moving both freight and themselves.
May 26, 200619 yr Now here's an interesting development from Maine, which has been using EZ-Pass on the Maine Turnpike..... Friday, May 26, 2006 E-ZPass fattens turnpike revenue By KEVIN WACK, Portland Press Herald Writer The windshield-mounted white boxes that allow Maine Turnpike drivers to pay their tolls automatically yielded a one-year, $6.3 million windfall for the highway's operator. ..... Between Feb. 1, 2005, and Jan. 31, 2006, the turnpike collected $85.2 million in tolls, or $6.3 million more than projected. The report found that several factors contributed to the increase, including improvements in the technology's accuracy and a reduction in discounted tolls for out-of-state residents. .......... http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/060526turnpike.shtml
June 2, 200619 yr Public Infrastructure: The Next Frontier For Real Estate Investment?[/b] By Parke M. Chapman May 31, 2006 3:00 PM Where many see rusting beams and potholes, some investors see the next big opportunity. With the prices of conventional real estate at or near cyclical highs, there is a growing interest by investors in toll roads and bridges, which have many of the financial characteristics of commercial properties, including predictable cash flow. Just last year, for example, a joint venture between a pair of Australian and Spanish investment firms shelled out $1.83 billion to buy a 75-year leasehold on the Chicago Skyway. The 7.8-mile long Skyway, which connects the Dan Ryan Expressway to the Indiana Tollway, throws off annual toll revenue of $45 million. And, later on last year, the state of Indiana announced plans to lease its 157-mile long Indiana Toll Road for 75 years to the same Australian/Spanish joint venture for $3.8 billion. Find this article at: http://www.nreionline.com/news/public_infrastructure_commercial_real_estate/index.html
June 5, 200619 yr Author Perhaps this thread should be renamed for a less place-specific discussion of the turnpike lease issue? Done.
June 12, 200619 yr What I don't like about Blackwell's plan is that he doesn't specifically say where the proceeds will go. He has only made very general comments about transportation, which could mean anything. Frankly, I wouldn't trust him to use the money entirely for something else. These proceeds need to be put into fixing existing roadways, putting more funding into local mass transit and our statewide rail infrastructure. And now it looks like Blackwell's plan falls well short of what he says the state would realize in actual dollars. He is a master at making an idea "sound" good, but the reality always seems to be considerably less than what he touts.
July 6, 200618 yr Blackwell to outline Turnpike proposal Created: 7/6/2006 9:54:54 AM Updated:7/6/2006 9:55:55 AM CLEVELAND -- Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell will outline his plan to lease the Ohio Turnpike in Strongsville Thursday. Click "Play video" for more details and today's weather. http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=54238 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 28, 200618 yr http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060728/NEWS11/607280387/-1/NEWS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article published July 28, 2006 Ohio Turnpike tolls could go up again By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER Two years after the Ohio Turnpike Commission rolled truck fares back by an average of 25 percent to entice big rigs away from secondary routes, tolls could rise again - with truckers still paying less than they did before the rollback, but car drivers paying more. .......
August 1, 200618 yr http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060801/NEWS24/608010381 -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Article published August 1, 2006 Taft opposes turnpike toll increase Commission to hold hearings on issue By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS - If the Ohio Turnpike Commission raises tolls, Gov. Bob Taft said yesterday he would ask the General Assembly to roll them back again. .......
August 19, 200618 yr Author From the 8/18/06 Toledo Blade: Criticism coordinated for Turnpike leasing plan FREMONT - Leasing the Ohio Turnpike to private investors will result in higher tolls and more traffic on parallel routes, critics of a Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's privatization proposal said yesterday during coordinated news conferences in Toledo and other northern Ohio communities. Mr. Blackwell is the Republican candidate for governor. At the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers' hall here, local and county leaders and Democratic party candidates for public office gathered to decry the plan, which they said could threaten timely turnpike maintenance. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060818/NEWS11/608180408/-1/NEWS
August 22, 200618 yr Author From the 8/22/06 Toledo Blade: Indiana governor pleased by turnpike-lease results Similar deal might work for Ohio, Daniels says By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS - Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said yesterday he was "pleasantly surprised" at the market's response when the state decided to lease operation of its 157-mile toll road. The 75-year lease brought a one-time cash infusion of $3.8 billion. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060822/NEWS24/608220391/-1/NEWS
August 22, 200618 yr Once again Mr. Blackwell .... where do you propose spending the revenues? More highways? That's what his buddy Gov. Daniels has done. He has been almost purposely vague about this part of his plan at a time when we need more transportation choices, not just highways. Candidate Strickland on the other hand is calling for putting greater dollars into passenger rail (He mentioned the Ohio Hub Plan in his Columbus appearance several times), expanding capacity for freight rail, better local mass transit and other mobility options. He also proposes a "fix it first" philosophy for roads and other transportation infrastructure. I don't think selling or leasing the Turnpike is necessarily a bad idea, as long as whoever does it is specific about where the $$$$ go and doesn't channel those $$$$ into just more asphalt and concrete. Blackwell just doesn't seem to be willing or able to make a commitment and that's something that leaves me less than trusting of his motives.
August 29, 200618 yr Author From the 8/29/06 PD: Taft asks turnpike to keep tolls down Tuesday, August 29, 2006 John P. Coyne Plain Dealer Reporter Gov. Bob Taft sent a letter to the Ohio Turnpike Commission on Monday opposing the agency's proposal to increase turnpike tolls. ...... http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1156840637113880.xml&coll=2
August 30, 200618 yr They get away with Murder, $8.25 to ride a road? Ripoff. Yeah, what a ripoff. We all know that it costs virtually nothing to construct and maintain 240 miles of roadway designed to Interstate highway standards.
August 30, 200618 yr Nice response. Good thing that private enterprise didn't build the road, because motorists would pay a lot more than $8.25 to drive it. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 30, 200618 yr Just like the motorists will pay once the State leases the Turnpike to foreign investors.
August 30, 200618 yr at least the ohio turnpike is well paved and has nice facilities. imo, it is well worth the 8.25 compared to what you pay to cross indiana (good road generally, but terrible facilities) and PA to philly which is something like $18 for car and has a terrible road and terrible facilities.
August 30, 200618 yr I dont want to start a flamewar here but lets look at Wisconsin. No tolls or anything like that and our roads are some of the best in the country. Yes we have the high gas tax(the auto. increase has stopped though) but still. Illinois though is worse I guess. I dunno what they use the toll money for since everytime I cross the border the roads are crappier. :p
August 30, 200618 yr Blagojevich: Tollway will not be sold The governor says privatization could lead to higher tolls and less maintenance. By Chuck Sweeny ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR SOUTH BELOIT — Gov. Rod Blagojevich, moments before giving the green light to open-road tolling at the South Beloit toll plaza, said he’s solidly against selling the Illinois Tollway to a private consortium. “We’re not going to sell the tollway. I’m not interested in that, for several reasons. We’ve done a lot of great things at the tollway to help commuters get to where they want to go faster. One of the problems with privatizing the tollway is the private companies whose motivation is to raise profits. They’re apt to raise tolls, and they may be less interested in maintaining the infrastructure,” said Blagojevich, a Democrat in his first term. http://www.dailyherald.com/news/dupagestory.asp?id=222354&cc=d&tc=&t= --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 30, 200618 yr Hell, why not sell off other publicly-owned assets? You could sell the State Capitol to a developer, who will lease it back to the State of Ohio. The possibilities are limitless!
September 14, 200618 yr Nonprofit formed to push plan to lease turnpike to private firm Thursday, September 14, 2006 Ted Wendling Plain Dealer Bureau Chief Columbus - A former Taft administration official and a top Republican lobbyist have formed a nonprofit group that will push Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's proposal to lease the Ohio Turnpike for up to $6 billion. The organization, Road to Work Ohio, has hired James Seney, the recently retired head of the Ohio Rail Development Commission, as its executive director. Seney was brought to the group by Tom Whatman, former executive director of the Ohio Republican Party and the founder of the Columbus lobbying firm Strategic Public Partners. http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1158223266298811.xml&coll=2
September 17, 200618 yr Author From Copley, 9/17/06: Foreign consortium eyes Ohio Turnpike Sunday, September 17, 2006 By PAUL E. KOSTYU COPLEY COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF COLUMBUS - A foreign business consortium that controls the Indiana Toll Road and the Chicago Skyway is eyeing the Ohio Turnpike in what could become a 406-mile monopoly of East-West transportation. Macquarie-Cintra, an Australian-Spanish consortium, has asked for and received 20 years of traffic and revenue data from the Ohio Turnpike Commission, according to Gary Suhadolnik, the commission’s executive director. http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=308393
September 18, 200618 yr COLUMBUS - A foreign business consortium that controls the Indiana Toll Road and the Chicago Skyway is eyeing the Ohio Turnpike in what could become a 406-mile monopoly of East-West transportation. It already is a monopoly. But since the government can't sue itself for antitrust violations in having a controlling share of a transportation market, nobody seems to question its monopoly as bad. I thought we favored the free market in this country, where the government's power is limited. It never ceases to amaze me how we view public policy with a double standard in this country.... private ownership of railroad tracks is a do or die requirement, whereas private ownership of a given highway is a greedy, monopolistic act. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 18, 200618 yr Author ^ Well said. That's what struck me as odd about that line that I highlighted.
September 18, 200618 yr COLUMBUS - A foreign business consortium that controls the Indiana Toll Road and the Chicago Skyway is eyeing the Ohio Turnpike in what could become a 406-mile monopoly of East-West transportation. It already is a monopoly. But since the government can't sue itself for antitrust violations in having a controlling share of a transportation market, nobody seems to question its monopoly as bad. I thought we favored the free market in this country, where the government's power is limited. It never ceases to amaze me how we view public policy with a double standard in this country.... private ownership of railroad tracks is a do or die requirement, whereas private ownership of a given highway is a greedy, monopolistic act. You mean just like government has a monopoly on police and fire service?
September 18, 200618 yr But who competes with police and fire service? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 19, 200618 yr That's a cute slogan, but what does that mean? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 19, 200618 yr But who competes with police and fire service? Who competes with roads? (besides other modes of transportation)
September 19, 200618 yr But who competes with police and fire service? Who competes with roads? (besides other modes of transportation) you guys lost me
September 19, 200618 yr But who competes with police and fire service? Who competes with roads? (besides other modes of transportation) Thank you for answering your own question in the same manner I would have. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 7, 200618 yr Article published Oct 6, 2006 Puro urges Toll Road watchdog Former director of highway says drivers could be taken for a ride. MARTIN DeAGOSTINO Tribune Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- State lawmakers should create a watchdog board to review future fare increases on the Indiana Toll Road, according to Democrat Mike Puro. Puro, a former Toll Road director now running for state representative from Goshen, said the board is necessary because of complex tolling authority granted to the highway's private operator. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061006/News01/610060338
October 7, 200618 yr Posted on Fri, Oct. 06, 2006 Toll Road fire crews want piece of lease By Kara Lopp The Journal Gazette With a private operator now running the Indiana Toll Road, firefighters who respond to emergencies there are teaming up to make a case for compensation. The largely volunteer departments rely on collecting money from those they help, as well as grants and fundraisers, to survive. http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/15692139.htm
October 17, 200618 yr Taft asks Ohio Turnpike to hold line on tolls THE ASSOCIATED PRESS October 17, 2006 BEREA - Lower truck tolls on the Ohio Turnpike have sharply reduced truck traffic on parallel highways and improved safety, Gov. Bob Taft's top budget official said Monday in appealing to the Turnpike Commission to avoid a toll increase. ..... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061017/NEWS01/610170370/1056/COL02
October 17, 200618 yr $10.25 is actually quite a steal for the length of the turnpike. Other states (read: PENNSYLVANIA) charges your life + your soul + two Popeye's biscuits to cross their state and their roads suck. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 17, 200618 yr $10.25 is actually quite a steal for the length of the turnpike. Other states (read: PENNSYLVANIA) charges your life + your soul + two Popeye's biscuits to cross their state and their roads suck. Thanks for the reminder. I'm headed for Pennsylvania tomorrow. I don't have a life that anyone would want, and some say I'm soulless, too, but I need to pick up some o' them biscuits. :lol:
October 17, 200618 yr There is a two-fer deal in Columbus for fifty cents. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 17, 200618 yr Hell naw. Ain't no way I'm givin up my Popeye's biscuits. You're gonna have to find somethin else to take.
October 17, 200618 yr Tell Pennsylvania that. Not me. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 17, 200618 yr $10.25 is actually quite a steal for the length of the turnpike. Other states (read: PENNSYLVANIA) charges your life + your soul + two Popeye's biscuits to cross their state and their roads suck. How true that is...the worst part of my trip to Philly was the driving on the Penn Turnpike....it SUCKS!!!
October 17, 200618 yr Well... There's US 30 or if you prefer, I-70/US 50 (depending how far south you are), I-68, I-70, I-95 if you want to go to Philly from Ohio and avoid the PA Turnpike.
October 17, 200618 yr But then you'd have to use the Delaware Turnpike and that horrid bridge toll in Harve de Grace or whatever in Maryland. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 17, 200618 yr But then you'd have to use the Delaware Turnpike and that horrid bridge toll in Harve de Grace or whatever in Maryland. Oh, that's right (I've only done that route going west from Philly, so I only hit one toll booth)
October 17, 200618 yr One thing that has happened each time the Ohio Turnpike Authority has raised tolls is a drop in truck traffic. While that may sound good to those driving the O-T, it's bad news for every small town and city along any of the parallel routes: US-30, US 20, Ohio Route 2 and several other smaller routes. It's been a nightmare of constant truck traffic in communities like Bellevue, Fremont, Wooster, and others .... not to mention the wear and tear it does to these roads, which were never designed to handle the weight-class of today's trucks, loaded or unloaded.
October 17, 200618 yr States considering privatizing highways can study Indiana toll road experience Posted 10/16/2006 9:22 PM ET By Theodore Kim, USA TODAY INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana's experience with privatizing its East-West Toll Road shows that states considering the same move might expect quick financial benefits along with higher tolls and other policies that could rankle some drivers. A number of states have looked at privatizing major highways to fill budget holes and cover the expense of fixing other crumbling roads. Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-16-indiana-roads_x.htm
October 19, 200618 yr 1) I wish I got a price rollback. 2) I wish Ohio had something like Illinois' I-Pass or the east coast's EZ-Pass. 3) It costs more money to travel half the Ohio Turnpike than all of Indiana's. 4) The Illinois Tollway system is awful (save, I-Pass). 5) Why didn't they make I-70 the turnpike, instead? Oh by the way, I just took a computer programming test and I think I failed. 9pm exams suck! :whip: So don't argue with my opinions! :evil:
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