Today, drivers in Miami began getting a choice. They can either contend with rush-hour traffic on I-95 for free, or they can pay to be in 2 lanes of toll only traffic for 6 miles. Either way it often is a parking lot, so the question becomes one of parking for free or paying to park on the homeward commute.
It is a variable toll system also. When there is no traffic you pay roughly a quarter. When it is essentially a parking lot, figure on $6. The average is projected to be around $2.50.
It's even a little trickier. There is no second-guessing. While these are just 2 dedicated lanes of the 6 expressway lanes, they are divided from the other 4 with plastic pipes and one must to being in the 2 toll lanes for the entire 6 miles. No changing your mind or pulling over.
And if this catches on, we can pay to drive on local streets, too.
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We have a similar set up just north of us on the 91. Half the time it'll save you time, but not always enough to make it worth the money. The problem is when there is an accident in the divided section - and there are quite a number of them. Also, are fares vary significantly according to peak times, with Thursday evening at 5:00 at $9.05 (one way!) Ouch. I hate the fee, but sometimes it's worth it.
Interesting concept. Seattle is such a mess that they ought to think about that one.
Steve,
This seems so inefficient to me. The biggest cities down to the medium size ones (like Nashville) have got to work on congestion problems and mass transit, commute rail is the only answer. Part of the infrastructure plans for thr US in the next 10+ years has got to include better mass transit options. It will be a little painful at first, but the benefits are far greater than the little bit of pain.
Just my 2 cents
Thanks
Bo
Kelly,
Sounds like Miami must have copied it from you guys. :)
Steve
Steven,
Mixing tolls with regular traffic seems very inefficient. A new roadway just for tolls - maybe. We have instances of that. :)
Steve
Bo,
We have rail (and I like it when it's convenient) but you have to going where they go and when they go to make any sense, and east-west travel doesn't exist at present. :)
Steve
Neither is an option for me...give me the back roads~
Gary,
I like that, too. When you can get there, it's fine. Some roads don't go through. :)
Steve...
I'd rather bet on traffic moving on the "free" side!
Richard,
I'm with you. Who's going to pay to go where the road goes anyway and probably take longer to get there? :)
Steve
Hi Steve
I think that you have to pay a toll to exit I-95, just kidding.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Lou,
I know people who think that driving on I-95 exacts enough of a toll already. :)
Steve
Steve - When are we going to get our Jetson cars? Better yet, I am ready for Scotty to beam me up!
Fred,
I think that's why they invented the internet. It really cuts down on travel. :)
Steve
My son and I visited Dallas Texas a couple years back. All the Google Maps, guided us onto toll roads, even though the cross town quicker routes were generally shorter. I think the City of Dallas cut a deal with Google.
We have reversible lanes on Highway 70 - South in morning and North in afternoon. It is dedicated access so no exist once you make the choice. Alas, it is still free. In the ShowMe state, there are few or no tollroads. The last toll/pay bridge (former municipally owned) was taken over by the states of Illinois and Missouri. We got it pretty good here.
Myrl,
Stranger things have happened - wow, you could be right. :)
Steve
Ryan,
Chicago has reversible lanes also. I guess the tolls are supposed to help with road maintenance, but they seem to go on and on, and many times I feel they should pay us to drive on their crummy roads. :)
Steve
Steve - I never did like toll roads. I'm sorry that you have to deal with them... :(
Debi,
I some places in this state toll roads are preferable to the interstates - not in this case though. :)
Steve