Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

For Whom the Toll Tolls

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Don’t ask for whom the toll tolls. It tolls for thee.

I know we’re desperate for money, but charging out-of-staters to drive into the state is a lunatic idea. What’s to stop other states from returning the favor? It’s a classic example of the Prisoner’s Dilemma that dcshol wrote about yesterday. We start charging out-of-staters tolls and they return the favor. Soon a toll war starts.

I’d like to think Gov. Patrick’s idea is some sort of political ploy, but I don’t see any evidence for that. As a Westerner who rarely uses the Pike, I’m not particularly concerned about tolls and have only kept half an eye on toll controversies. But it seems to me that there’s a distinct lack of leadership on the issue. I know it’s complicated, but someone tell me I’m wrong.

The Globe reports:

Governor Deval Patrick said yesterday that he was interested in implementing tolls on interstate highways at the state’s borders and that his administration had contacted the federal government about the idea.

“What I would love to see is . . . border tolls at all of the interstate entrances, maybe Route 3 as well. In other words, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York. If we did that right, it would be possible to remove all of the tolls inside of the Commonwealth. Maybe you’d keep something at the tunnel,” he said in an interview on WBUR-FM’s “Radio Boston” show hosted by Jane Clayson. It wasn’t clear which tunnel he was referring to, but tolls are currently being charged at the Ted Williams and Sumner tunnels.

“We have made those overtures to the federal authorities to see whether they would work with us, and they’re open to it,” Patrick said.

The federal government would have to approve any such proposal.

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Comments

  1. NH already has a toll on Rt. 95 in Portsmouth. There are more on the Everett Turnpike.

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    p>The backup at the Portsmouth toll plaza sometimes makes it worthwhile to route around them. The tolls are so small on the Everette Turnpike, you can pay them in spare change.

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    p>But a $2 toll on Rt. 3 and Rt. 93 (especially if it turns into a $4/day commute) is going to be enough to make some drivers route through the neighboring towns. And I’ve not heard any discussion of how the state intends to compensate or help those towns handle any increased traffic.

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    p>It always seems like it’s money first, then thinking.

    • The last time I went to NH I went through VT. I’m not even sure I made it to Rte. 93.

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      p>My guess is the Feds won’t let MA start new tolls between states. Imagine the kind of toll war it could start. If we want to screw out of state workers, why not just tax their paychecks?

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      p>Mb

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