Re: NJ Gas Tax and Garden State Pkwy Tolls

Jeff nor Lisa wrote:

> According to a talk radio station (101.5), there is a new
> plan afloat where the NJ gasoline tax would go up by 25 cents,
> but then tolls would be removed on the Garden State Parkway.
> Without the GSP toll removal, the gas tax increase would be 15 cents.
> Other tolls (NJTPK, ACEXPY, cross river bridges) would remain.
>
>
> Anyway, the idea of a substantial gasoline tax increase to
> compensate for removal of tolls on one particular toll road
> is interesting.  There are various pros and cons.
>
> Pros:
> 1) The toll barrier collection is murder on traffic volume,
> especially in the northern sections.  Removing the toll
> barriers would speed traffic flow.
> 2) Toll collection is a significant cost in itself.
>
> Cons:
> 1) The loss of tolls may make the Parkway more attractive
> and increase traffic volumes, eliminating any benefit from
> removal of the tollgates.
The GSP carries most traffic in the corridor which it serves. Traffic 
that is bypassing it using a toll-free highway may shift over, but then 
the traffic on those highways will ease up.

> 2) All motorists throughout the state will have to pay for
> a premium level road that many people never get near, and is
> heavilly used by out-of-state motorists going to resorts.
> In essence, in-state motorists will be subsidizing out of
> state tourists or freight traffic.
I think that at least 95% of the traffic on the GSP is headed to a NJ 
destination, keeping in mind that the GSP dead ends in Cape May.
This traffic makeup is a bit different from the Pike, which connects to 
an Interstate bridge at each end and carries a lot of thru-traffic 
heading for other states.

> 3) The Parkway will require widening in a few years to
> accomodate ever growing traffic.  Who will pay for that?
We are going to pay for it one way or the other. Might as well get rid 
of the tolls to make it easier and cheaper.

George K