If tolls are part of any future solution to regional traffic congestion, why not start charging now? That's the proposal by two economists for Seattle's 520 freeway bridge.
They suggest imposing tolls on the bridge immediately and delaying a decision on how to rebuild the structure for five years. Meanwhile tolls would generate funds for new construction and help determine how drivers actually respond to tolls (maybe differently than models suggest).
The op-ed doesn't mention it, but the 520 bridge was built with a toll plaza:
http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=689
It's now used for the Montlake freeway bus station, I believe.
Posted by: Frank Bruno | January 19, 2007 at 13:38
That picture shows the plaza on the Medina side. The toll plaza could be restored right away, using current technology that assesses fees based on congestion for everyone but transit.
Posted by: brad | January 19, 2007 at 17:24
I'm not holding my breath that we'll see tolls anytime soon in the region. In my recent travels, I saw a toll road in Melbourne that didn't require a toll plaza at all.
http://www.expresstag.com.au/TagWork.htm
Pretty cool technology. If we are to have tolls, that's how they should be implemented
Posted by: vincent | January 26, 2007 at 04:37