How to pay for future roads and maint

[Ecomike]

Interesting article on the new debate:

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-obamas-plan-to-tax-cars-by-the-mile-is-wrong-2011-5

 

[XJEEPER]

"...an early working draft proposal that was never formally circulated within the administration, does not taken into account the advice of the president's senior advisers, economic team or Cabinet officials, and does not represent the views of the president."

More info on the subject:

http://www.businessinsider.com/worst-state-road-systems-2010-7?op=1

http://www.uspirg.org/home/reports/...the-record-straight-on-transportation-funding

 

[RichP]

Of course upping the gross weight limit, size and double tandem trailers had no effect on the roads either and as we all know the only reason they keep using asphalt instead of concrete is job security of the construction companies. At least that's here in PA and NJ.
Our ex gov Rendel was pissed when he found out that if he tolled the main highways he could not put the money in his own little slush fund to hand out as favors but each road had to have it's own 'account' and the tolls could only be used for that particular road. Once that was decided in court he decided to scrap the tolling completely and screw keeping up the interstates.

 

[iwannadie]

Of course upping the gross weight limit, size and double tandem trailers had no effect on the roads either and as we all know the only reason they keep using asphalt instead of concrete is job security of the construction companies. At least that's here in PA and NJ.
Our ex gov Rendel was pissed when he found out that if he tolled the main highways he could not put the money in his own little slush fund to hand out as favors but each road had to have it's own 'account' and the tolls could only be used for that particular road. Once that was decided in court he decided to scrap the tolling completely and screw keeping up the interstates.

I'm no road expert but I can say this. I drive the same stretch of 2 lane road to work daily. Along this road they are building a huge campus with a park and had to excavate a massive amount of dirt. They had big tandem dirt hauler trucks pulling in and out all night long for months. The stretch of road used to be smooth as can be and now it is completely torn up and bumpy. I assume it is from the big trucks braking causing rippling in the asphalt.

 

[old_man]

While I think it is a good idea that the people who use the roads pay for them, it is just one more tax. Once in place the politician will just keep ratcheting it up.

 

[tbburg]

Notice that all the plans to tax autos by the mile are "in addition to", not "instead of" the current gasoline tax? The administration is just floating a balloon to see if it would be worth the effort to generally get more money. It has nothing to do with properly funding highway maintenance.
The current gas tax would be adequate to pay for maintenance and upkeep of the interstate highway system if they weren't robbing the funds to pay for pet projects("high speed" rail, bike paths, and other assorted political favors)that have nothing to do with road maintenance.

 

[old_man]

You sir have a firm grasp of the situation.

 

[Boatwrench]

Yep. pet projects. terrible idea. Road taxes should be used to maintain roads.

However...I do favor hi-speed rail between major cities, but in an effort to please everybody there is stops added that reduces the efficiency. There is no reeason for the California Hi-speed rail coming north from LA to make it to San Francisco, stopping in San Jose (silicon valley) would suffice as there are plenty of options for the remaining 45 miles from SJ north to SF.

The bicycle coalition has gotten a firm grasp around the throat of the SF Municipal Transit Authority. They have reduced car traffic lanes in favor of expanding bicycle lanes, the object is to get folks out of <evil> cars. The problem is unless you are a 20yo plastic helmeted spandex wearing hipster, commuting by bicycle is not an option for the majority of San Franciscans leaving my transit agaency. So that majority remain in cars. Less traffic lanes equates to buses moving through the corridors slower as they now compete for the remaining asphalt. Slower buses equates to more people returning to automobiles. We are in a death spiral.

 

[Beezil]

simple solution to the road building "problem" in america....

REQUIRE A WARRANTY.