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I, like most folks, don't like taxes or tax increases. 

Nonetheless, it seems deeply unfair to me that my neighbors in southern Wake County should have to pay a toll to drive on a piece of the same beltline that I can drive on for free.  No, I am not suggesting the entire beltline be converted to toll roads. 

Can you imagine the outcry if Fuquay-Varina had an 8% sales tax when the rest of the county only paid 6 3/4%? 

I suggest a 10-cent tax per gallon of gas instead.

Tim

I agree Tim.

Toll roads are for WVA and NJ, not "the good roads state" of NC.

The whole concept of toll roads is crass, low rent and unfair. But it's a great way to impede...and get a look-see in your vehicle...along with your plate number.

In the future...be prepared to present your government issued "travelling permission papers" at toll road check-point charlie.

We have always paid for our roads with our federal and state taxes. This hooey about being able to construct the road quicker as a toll road is just the first step in "privatization" of our public infrastructure that should never ever be privatized.

I'm no expert on issues environmental, but don't vehicles belch more exhaust during acceleration?  Say, for example, while returning to highway speed from a toll booth. 

Is all that smoke whats called a "car sin agin?"

Tim

I support keeping NC toll road free.  The equal distribution spending scheme the DOT uses should be scrapped and replaced with resources going to growing areas that need the new or expanded road systems. 

I am very upset that my local representative voted to allow changing a portion of I-540 that is about to open (and paid for) to a toll road.  I have e-mailed my mayor, Ernie McAlister with my concerns and hope that the Western Wake municipalities don't allow the State to blackmail them into approving NC's first toll road.

Toll roads are the equivalent of a use tax. If you use the road, you pay the 'tax'. Provided the toll road affects residents equally and the toll road is not the only feasible method to travel, it is a fair method of raising transportation revenues.

In the case of having a portion of I-540 as a toll road, it is unfair to affect some residents, those in southern Wake County and not those using the northern portion of I-540. I do not support converting specific portions of I-540 to toll because it unfairly targets specific citizens with a use tax while not affecting others using the same roadway. Likewise, it is equally unfair to convert the northern section to toll when residents in northern Wake County have chosen to live in that area partly because of the existing access to I-540. Both options unfairly target specific groups of citizens. The lesser of the two evils would be to convert the entire I-540 to toll until the project is paid than specific portions but I do not support either option.

Residents throughout North Carolina need to consider the implications of introducing toll roads to the Triangle. This will be the opening of Pandora's Box. Once those who support toll roads gain a foothold, it will become the method of choice in new transportation projects thoughout North Carolina.
It is a method of paying for transportation projects but do we really want toll roads to be the norm here?