Jeremy M. Barker

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 10:32:11 -0800

"Fair" is a relative term. The idea that users pay for something makes sense at a simple level, but it's generally more complicated than that. For one thing, like any absolute charge, it's more difficult for the poor to afford. For another, it serves as a disincentive for people to use the road in the first place, threatening to overcrowd the already overcrowded I-5 and almost guaranteeing that revenues will come in below forecast, continuing to threaten the replacement project and causing everyone else a huge pain in the ass. In other words, if you don't use the Viaduct, you may not have to pay the toll to use it, but you're sure gonna pay some other way.

K

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 09:35:53 -0800

I don't know why Seattleites and Washingtonians bitch about tolls. They're the fairest way of paying for road improvements that exist. 520 across the Lake used to be a toll bridge, kids.

Seattlest: It's A Budget

Jeremy M. Barker

K