Tolling US 422 good for business?!

The recent announcement by Montgomery County Planning Commission regarding a feasibility study for tolling US 422 has inspired discussion throughout the corridor. Whether people are for it or against it, tolling is being discussed. If you own, operate, or work in a business in the US 422 corridor, tolls will affect you. Much of the opposition to tolling originates from a general misunderstanding of public financing for public roads, and also from a perceived notion that tolling will be ineffective and only increase traveling costs.
In the past fifteen years, projects to restore rail have been proposed yet were unable to materialize, all the while US 422 congestion gets worse and worse. The quality of the roadway is declining, and the amount of time it takes a commuter to drive to work is steadily increasing. All of this is occurring during a time where state and federal funding for road improvement and transit expansion projects are quickly diminishing. Why has this been occurring and where is the money going? The funding mechanisms for highway and transit improvements are incredibly complex systems. Highway funding is primarily based upon the liquid fuels tax. Every time liquid fuels are purchased, 18.4 cents is paid to the federal government as a gas tax. The trouble is that the gas tax is not measured as a percentage, but as a flat fee. When gas was over $4 per gallon, the tax contribution remained 18.4 cents. Because the amount is a fixed amount, rather than a percentage, it does not adjust for the constantly rising costs of road construction, essentially providing less money each year. Transit funding is equally complex, with strict guidelines for project eligibility and limited federal funds for projects. These factors make it more costly for the individual states to fund transit expansion projects. What does that mean at the end of the day? It means that less money is available to fund more expensive projects.
Gas tax, more congestion, no train: how does this add up for the US 422 corridor? It all adds up to limited funds available for maintaining US 422, let alone the making much needed improvements. If improvements are going to be made to US 422, the money has to come from somewhere. Tolling is the best and most direct method that can be employed to raise funds and make the needed improvements to US 422, as well as restore rail service. Unlike other methods, tolling puts a direct cost to the user of the roadway; however it also provides a direct benefit to the user of the roadway. By paying a toll to drive on the highway, the toll money will be applied to make the needed improvements that reduce congestion. These improvements will happen much faster than if they were funded through traditional methods. Raising a toll on US 422 provides enough revenue to make the needed improvements at the Schuylkill River Bridge, the Pottstown Bypass and provides enough excess revenue to fund passenger rail expansion. Any revenue raised in excess of what is needed for the improvement projects and passenger rail can fund local improvements that ease any congestion related to drivers diverting from US 422 to avoid the paying the toll. Tolling means that the users of US 422 are controlling their destiny, and are benefitting from their daily actions.
How can a toll be good for business if it is another added cost to transportation? It can’t be denied that a toll on US 422 is going to be added to the cost of driving on the highway. What it does mean is shorter travel times as a result of an improved roadway. Completing the improvement projects with toll revenue will cut rush hour traffic congestion significantly, resulting in much shorter travel times. The roadway itself will be improved to provide a more comfortable and safe driving experience. With passenger rail extending up the corridor, it will allow a larger employment population to move with greater ease, opening up new job markets for employees and employers. Most of all, it will revitalize existing downtowns, creating untold business opportunities. These improvements will happen much faster with tolling revenue, and may never happen if funded through traditional means.
Tolling US 422 is a controversial proposal with more positives than negatives. For the proposal to move forward, and either be accepted or rejected, it is important that the public makes an informed decision. By fully understanding the benefits of action, as well as the consequences of inaction, the corridor can maintain its competitive edge in the global economy. The US 422 Corridor Coalition, managed by GVF Transportation, will continue to provide up to date information on this topic, and all the other transportation projects proposed for the corridor. Please visit http://www.422coalition.com/ to stay informed.