Who Will Actually Use Tollways?

An article in a recent issue of the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) newsletter reported on a survey commissioned by the Corridor Business Coalition, a group of large landowners, developers and businesses who stand to profit by the construction of the corridors--the proposed San Joaquin Hills, Eastern and Foothill toll roads.

Survey respondents were evidently asked a number of questions regarding the value of the TCA’s three proposed tollways. A majority of those surveyed were reported to “favor the construction” of the tollways. The total cost to construct these roads could run $3 billion. However, only 35% of those surveyed said they “expect that the corridors will improve their commute.”

That only about a third--well below a majority--think the toll roads would benefit them should be a cause of concern for the TCA and all taxpayers. What this shows is that even those who favor the construction of the proposed toll roads or think that they will make traffic better don’t necessarily plan to use them. The question is who will use them?

At a time when concern about the lack of an efficient transportation system is at an all-time high, it’s only human nature to hope that any proposal that comes along will be the magic cure to eliminate traffic congestion in South County.

Statistics regarding the number of those who favor or oppose the concept or hope the toll roads will help reduce congestion are really non-issues. The bottom line is how many commuters could actually use these roads on a daily basis if they were built? And then how many would find the toll road of sufficient benefit that they would be willing to pay the toll?

The success or failure of any transportation route is a result of how well it meets the needs of the public and its accessibility to where one wants to go. The fact that the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor is now a toll road, and prices to travel it can be adjusted accordingly, is no guarantee that it will relieve traffic congestion or that it can pay for itself. One sad example is the Chicago Skyway, an overpriced toll road that has so few users that it cannot meet its bond payments. Is this the kind of experiment we want to see in South County?

CAROLYN WOOD

Laguna Beach