When I was on the Board of the Milford Chamber of Commerce, and the Legislative Action Committee, the issue of Tolls came up several times. It was shot down rather quickly because people remembered a horrific accident that took place at a tollbooth in CT several decades ago.
(from Wikipedia)Opponents to reinstating tolls refer to this as their primary reason. By that way of thinking, we should also eliminate tractor trailers and cars.
Several accidents prompted the state to eliminate tolls along the turnpike altogether. Arguably, the most notorious of these was a serious incident on January 19, 1983, in which a tractor trailer after a brake failure collided with four cars at the Stratford toll plaza, killing seven people and injuring several others. The investigation following the crash determined that the truck driver fell asleep at the wheel just before the crash took place.
People in certain businesses (construction, and those who transport goods from other states) also oppose tolls in CT since it will be an additional cost for their companies. Of course, they already transport through NJ and MA - both states with tolls.
Here is the latest. Very good points. A modern viewpoint, with an eye towards fiscal health.
Statement of
House Chair of the Transportation Committee Tony Guerrera re: White House
Proposal to Allow Tolls
“Tolls will provide our state
with an annual revenue stream of hundreds-of-millions, paid, in a significant
measure, by out-of-state drivers. This is the answer to the state’s declining
gas tax revenues and will allow us to reduce Connecticut’s high gas tax
rates. As cars get more efficient, gas tax receipts go down. Tolls,
especially border tolls, will provide a stable source of revenue to invest in
our transportation infrastructure.”
“Modern tolls are not an
inconvenience or safety hazard – you can drive past a transponder at highway
speeds and have a toll billed to your plate number or be debited from an
account.”
-Antonio "Tony"
Guerrera (D-Rocky Hill),
House Chair of the Transportation Committee
House Chair of the Transportation Committee
