4 ms·

I'm curious how they use the money from the $40 toll. If, for example, they used the money to improve roads and other public transportation options so that ever

I'm curious how they use the money from the $40 toll. If, for example, they used the money to improve roads and other public transportation options so that everyone on average gets where they need to go faster, then that ought to make everyone happy. Or else just divide up the revenue and mail everyone in the state a check at the end of the year. That would make me less angry about the fact that other people are able to afford the $40 toll.

maxxxxx 9y ago
Money is fungible. Even if the toll goes to transportation they will just cut that amount from the regular budget. Sending out a check to everybody would be fine but that ain't gonna happen...
- eru 9y ago
  And, alas, sending back a check to everybody would probably just drive up rents.
em3rgent0rdr 9y ago
> "I'm curious how they use the money from the $40 toll." The article says that it is being used to fund new construction: "This is what transportation costs!" "The real reason there's sticker shock is that the real cost of road transportation is hidden from most voters. Gas tax money goes to states and the US Department of Transportation which flows back as what seems like free federal money to build a lot of roads. Meanwhile, every transit project has to scrimp for funds and deal with constant sniping from critics calling it a boondoggle."
- sky_rw 9y ago
  Transportation costs are perhaps the most perfect example of Parkinson's law and it's permutations. “purchasing expands to fill the entire budget.”
- mattmcknight 9y ago
  It's not true. The road had a planned expansion to go to 4 lanes in each direction in 1977. It was blocked by Arlington County, and the only new construction they've done for 40 years is extending the exit lanes. It's so ridiculously under the needed capacity that all of the canards about not being able to build your way out of traffic don't apply.
  - em3rgent0rdr 9y ago
    > "It's not true. The road had a planned expansion to go to 4 lanes in each direction in 1977..." Doesn't matter that it was planned a long time ago and blocked. Regardless of how or when it was initially built, the cost to build it has to be compensated somehow.
    - slededit 9y ago
      Interstate expansion comes from the national highway fund. Arlington blocking it has little to do with the cost.
eru 9y ago
What's wrong about using a tax/fee to fund the general expenditures of the collecting authority? (That's what eg income tax does.)

maxxxxx 9y ago

Money is fungible. Even if the toll goes to transportation they will just cut that amount from the regular budget. Sending out a check to everybody would be fine but that ain't gonna happen...

eru 9y ago
And, alas, sending back a check to everybody would probably just drive up rents.

em3rgent0rdr 9y ago

> "I'm curious how they use the money from the $40 toll." The article says that it is being used to fund new construction: "This is what transportation costs!" "The real reason there's sticker shock is that the real cost of road transportation is hidden from most voters. Gas tax money goes to states and the US Department of Transportation which flows back as what seems like free federal money to build a lot of roads. Meanwhile, every transit project has to scrimp for funds and deal with constant sniping from critics calling it a boondoggle."

sky_rw 9y ago
Transportation costs are perhaps the most perfect example of Parkinson's law and it's permutations. “purchasing expands to fill the entire budget.”
mattmcknight 9y ago
It's not true. The road had a planned expansion to go to 4 lanes in each direction in 1977. It was blocked by Arlington County, and the only new construction they've done for 40 years is extending the exit lanes. It's so ridiculously under the needed capacity that all of the canards about not being able to build your way out of traffic don't apply.
- em3rgent0rdr 9y ago
  > "It's not true. The road had a planned expansion to go to 4 lanes in each direction in 1977..." Doesn't matter that it was planned a long time ago and blocked. Regardless of how or when it was initially built, the cost to build it has to be compensated somehow.
  - slededit 9y ago
    Interstate expansion comes from the national highway fund. Arlington blocking it has little to do with the cost.

eru 9y ago

What's wrong about using a tax/fee to fund the general expenditures of the collecting authority? (That's what eg income tax does.)