New toll on I-93 south at Mass border

[B the Hiker]

This just came across a list I am on. No source was given, alas.

Brian

# # #

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire has taken the first steps toward
putting a toll booth on Interstate 93 near the Massachusetts border.

Transportation Commissioner George Campbell has asked Washington to
allow a toll demonstration project at the state line to help pay for
the I-93 widening in southern New Hampshire.

Campbell estimates it could be four years before a toll opens, if
federal regulators and state lawmakers all approve.

He has talked with Gov. John Lynch about the plan, but said he hasn't
won his support yet.

Campbell said he would like a southbound toll only, at $2 per car. He
said federal transportation officials have one demonstration project
award left to make and wants to make sure the state is considered so
it covers all options in paying for the project.

 

[Tom Rankin]

I always loved the word 'demonstration'.

What exactly are they demonstrating, anyway?

 

[Puck]

It seems like Mass is charging a two dollar cover charge that NH gets to keep. Will they stamp your hand? Is there a two drink minimum?

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

This just came across a list I am on. No source was given, alas.

A substantially longer version: New I-93 toll eyed near Mass. border.

 

[peakbagger]

Its equal opportunity, we charge a toll for folks from mass to drive to maine so the least thing we can do is charge them to drive to NH

 

[dentonfabrics]

I dont believe it. Not a $2 round trip anyway. For someone crossing the border to work five days a week, that's an extra $500/year. I can't believe anyone could support that.

Besides, they already have "a toll booth on Interstate 93 near the Massachusetts border." Hooksett.

 

[Tom Rankin]

I dont believe it. Not a $2 round trip anyway. For someone crossing the border to work five days a week, that's an extra $500/year. I can't believe anyone could support that.

Obviously you do not commute over the NYC Bridges, $8.00 a pop last I checked!

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I dont believe it. Not a $2 round trip anyway. For someone crossing the border to work five days a week, that's an extra $500/year. I can't believe anyone could support that.

Besides, they already have "a toll booth on Interstate 93 near the Massachusetts border." Hooksett.

The Hooksett toll doesn't cover a large % of the daily commuters to MA who will benefit from the widening of the highway...

Tim

 

[Gillian]

Oh great more delays on holidays weekends to look forward too.....yeah!!

 

[grouseking]

Looks like everyone will be getting off at either exit 2 or exit 1 in Salem! Avoid those tolls!

grouseking

 

[Waumbek]

Obviously you do not commute over the NYC Bridges, $8.00 a pop last I checked!

That's just a view tax to look at the Mighty Hudson, East, other rivers. Whaddya get to see at this toll booth? If I really thought it would lower property taxes in NH, I could get on board. I can't get on board. Just more highways.

 

[Peaks]

Mass Pike

As a resident of Metro West, I'm not happy about tolls on the Mass Pike going up again to pay for the Big Dig, which benefits north south traffic much more than east west traffic.

I'd like to see a toll booth go up on I-93 in Mass, and on the SouthEast Expressway as well, but I understand that's dead on arrival.

 

[McRat]

It's true that we are only guaranteed two things in life - death and taxes.

Let's be grateful it's the latter this time.

With proposed Massachusetts toll increases and possible new locations, eventually I expect I'll be charged every 20-30 miles between here and my hikes.

If I'm lucky enough to still be hiking then, I'll pay. They got me.

It's still cheaper than Disneyworld, and I like it more.

 

[brianW]

I do not like the "toll" idea no matter where it may be. I would support a true fuel tax that went to road projects and not the "general" fond that most goverment agencies send the tax money to.

As for I-93 tolls, maybe NH should ask MA for all the income taxes they et from NH working folks. I know I was alway pissed seeing a good percent of my income going to a state I didn't live in.

 

[Mike P.]

I usually come up by Route 3 so I'll be okay on this one....

CT talking about reinstating tolls, only makes sense in SW corner where traffic is virtuall stop & go from 7AM to 8PM everyday, no one will be happy to make it slower & people still remember the big crash which was the reason they removed the tolls.

If they used a High Speed Toll like they have in a couple of spots on the GSP in NJ, that wouldn't be bad (cost aside). people with EZ pass cruise under at 65 MPH, those without go to standard booth off to the side.

 

[Jim lombard]

This would be a nightmare for RT's 28 and 213 in Methuen as people avoid this. It's already bad enough. Lets widen the road to ease traffic then put up a toll to back it up again. Stupid.

 

[BobC]

I get off at exit 3 in Windham when I go home by 93, and chances are the toll would be further south than this. If not, I would just get off the highway even sooner and choose an alternate route. A toll like this is just going to put a lot of additional traffic on the smaller roads.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Why?

I value my time more highly than most, it seems. I wouldn't drive 10 minutes out of my way to save the toll. That's like saying I'm worth $12 per hour. I surely wouldn't take a job at that rate. Especially true if they put in high-speed EZPass lanes like mentioned above (somewhere in NJ.)

I guess I am a rare breed who prefers use-fees (tolls) over general taxes.

Tim

 

[BobC]

A $2 toll just annoys me. I get your logic about the $12 an hour....believe me, if I lost $2 somewhere I certainly wouldn't lose sleep over it. But the idea of paying yet another toll or another fee just bothers me.

 

[chomp]

The money has to come from somewhere. Being every so slightly involved in the state budget I can tell you that any increase to the gas tax or other taxes will not come close to paying for the widening of I-93.

So the options are:

1) Don't widen 93.
2) Put up some kind of new toll to pay for project.
3) Institute a sales tax or an income tax.

The chances of NH starting a sales tax or income tax to pay for projects like these are slim. We have a low tax burden in this state and mostly likely that will continue.

Since most of the reason that the widening project is required is for NH residents that travel out of state to work, it makes some sense that the people that use the road pay for the road. When I lived in Manchester and commuted to Burlington, MA, I had no problem paying the toll. I was happy to have a highway to make the drive.

Also, the kind of toll they are talking about putting in are the new high-speed variety where you can drive 65 MPH if you have an EZ Pass. So there is virtually no delay.

But hey, I don't commute to Boston to work, and since its mostly for rush-hour commuters in the state, if those people don't want to the toll, they should speak up and ask that the project be delayed. But you can't have both, and it makes more sense than having people in the northern part of the state pay for a road that they barely / never use.