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Opinion
Jul. 08, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Toll lanes picking up speed

A proposal for Nevada's first highway toll lanes is picking up speed in the buildup to the 2009 Legislature. A transportation subcommittee stopped short of recommending the privately funded project last week, but lawmakers sick of dealing with budget cuts are warming to the idea of having someone else pay for needed infrastructure improvements.

The plan calls for 19-mile express lanes to be built from U.S. Highway 95 and Ann Road in the northwest valley to Interstate 15 and the southern Las Vegas Beltway, with ramps that fly over the Spaghetti Bowl interchange downtown. Investors would cover the entire $1.4 billion construction cost and $1 million in annual maintenance, and charge users between 10 cents and $1 per mile driven, depending on peak demand. The lanes would be free for express buses, emergency vehicles and cars with three or more passengers.

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    • It's good that lawmakers are exercising some caution in vetting the proposal. After all, the project's biggest benefit -- that it won't cost taxpayers a dime up front -- could become a trap door if it ever defaults. The Nevada Department of Transportation already has about $6 billion worth of work on an unfunded waiting list -- it can't be on the hook for bills it can't pay.

    However, the biggest obstacle to the project remains state statute. Under Nevada law, road and bridge tolls are illegal. The toll proposal needs an exemption from the 2009 Legislature to keep moving forward.

    But how many more toll proposals might come forward if lawmakers repealed the law outright? How many billions of dollars worth of construction could be financed in the decade ahead by investors, instead of taxpayers, if the projects faced no statutory hurdles?

    Skeptical lawmakers and taxpayers are correct to assert that citizens should never face tolls on roads they've already paid for. But newly developed toll roads can help the valley get rid of gridlock. In the search for funding for future highway improvements, all options should be on the table.

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    John Smith wrote on July 09, 2008 12:43 PM: This a genuinely bad idea. A toll road would be an additional new tax on people who already pay taxes to build roads. Why should a private company make a profit and make citizens pay more to drive to work?

    Our legislature needs to promote the idea of a light rail system in Las Vegas. The light rail system needs to be planned better than the horribly implemented monorail.


    Sad Summerlin wrote on July 08, 2008 09:09 PM: I am no where near the proposed route of this toll road, but I am surprised by the opposition of its construction.

    Either the State pays for the road out of taxes, or an investment firm builds the roads and requires repayment.

    No one is forcing anyone to use the road or pay the toll. If the investment company wants to take the risk and build it and then receive revenue from a toll, what is wrong with that?

    As long as the state does not toll existing assets, the state spends no tax money toward its construction, nor does it force people to use the toll road... where is the harm?

    Most of these comments talk about the government using this to "screw" the middle class... hey, folks... the answer is quite simple... if they do not do this, the road isn't built... how is this screwing you?


    HAHA wrote on July 08, 2008 08:51 PM: And now you are going to make the traffic on the surface streets even worse. Who the hell is going to pay $19.00 each way to go to work???? If you happen to live in the Northwest and work in the area of I-15 & 215 thats $38.00 a day, Times a 5-day work week, $198.00!!!!!!! Now the Freeways and the surface streets will be worse than it already is.


    Brian wrote on July 08, 2008 12:32 PM: Find out who is in favor of this idea and VOTE HIM OR HER OUT OF OFFICE!!!!


    dave wrote on July 08, 2008 12:31 PM: Hey, why let the people who brought us the current credit crisis (Goldman Sachs etc..)and overseas companies (the biggest private toll road operator is based in Spain), get our money?

    IF, there is ever a toll road, it should be owned and operated by the State. Selling our assets for pennies on the dollar is foolish public policy.


    Mark$ wrote on July 08, 2008 10:16 AM: Is it any wonder Mr. RJ editorial writer is for this idea. Anything that allows the rich to enjoy their money, in this case merrily in their Mercedes, zooming home to the Summerlin $5 mansion past those wretched working people sitting in traffic! As long as America in general and Las Vegas in particular continues to become "Two Americas", Republicans and Arkansas corporate newspaper owners are happy.


    Dick wrote on July 08, 2008 10:14 AM: A better idea would be to make the Strip a toll road, but with a Vegas twist. Put slots on every corner as toll booths. You put your quarter in and pull the lever. Winners would get "free play" for so many blocks. And the toll booths sure wouldn't back up traffic any worse than it already is.


    Observer wrote on July 08, 2008 09:03 AM: A little history from a former resident of suburban New York City: When the Tappan Zee Bridge was build over the Hudson River in 1955, the toll was 50 cents. The citizens were told the toll would be removed as soon as the cost of the Bridge was paid. [That's how they convinced residents to build the Bridge]. Today, the toll is $4.50. Sometimes, traffic waiting at the toll booths is backed up for five miles.


    NoTollRoads! wrote on July 08, 2008 08:06 AM: This is stupid. Don't do this to Las Vegans!

    Amen to Vegas comment, "Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, and Assemblyman Kelvin Atkinson, D-North Las Vegas, and Susan Martinovich should
    immediately be run out of the state for their obvious incompetence in pushing this forward."


    Kent wrote on July 08, 2008 07:56 AM: $1 per mile driven during peak periods sounds a bit excessive if I read this article correctly. Remember, toll booths are a bottle neck also. As a local resident, I would avoid toll roads as much as possible. I just returned from Tampa where toll roads are common and rates are far less than proposed here.


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