Something Rotten at Caltrans?

Re “Mischief on 91 Tollway,” Dec. 19 editorial:

When are Californians going to wake up, or is it too late?

The continuing ineptness of the state government in Sacramento can only possibly be offset by California weather, and that’s stretching it for many residents contemplating flight.

We have the highest state taxes in the nation, with more to come; the worst, overcrowded public schools in the nation; massive illegal immigration at taxpayers’ huge expense; thousands of mostly unneeded legislative bills each year; big government, waste and fraud; unbelievable welfare and crime; jampacked jails; and unacceptable traffic conditions that New Jersey was able to partially solve by eliminating carpool lanes.

When is enough enough?

WARREN HAWLEY

Anaheim

*

The flap about the 91 tollway lanes is not the only sign of “something rotten at Caltrans.”

The design of the road is quite poor. It was evidently done by some ‘60s pot smoker who sang “it never rains in California” a few too many times.

The road was widened by the addition of the carpool lanes without any regard for drainage. I was involved in an accident caused by accumulated rainwater in the middle lanes of the 91, between Green River and the 71 overpass.

Anyone traveling that stretch can see that the road is mostly flat, with some dips. Noticeable is the number of times that the railing has been repaired or replaced. Every new dent or replaced section of the railing is proof of the problem; the number of dents grows very fast during the rainy season.

Add to this a few other flat spots or areas in which the water actually forms small rivers crossing the lanes, such as the eastbound slope between Weir Canyon and Coal Canyon and the flat section approaching Green River during a medium-to-heavy rain.

It all seems to point out that, as in most state and federal agencies, Caltrans executives do not know who their customers are, or for that matter, who pays their salary.

VICTOR ROSSI

Anaheim

*

I read with disbelief of the planned toll road extending the Orange Freeway down the Santa Ana River bed (Dec. 18).

Who decided that Orange County gets only toll roads from now on? Am I missing something? Didn’t two-thirds of the voters approve measure M so we could start building the freeways we needed?

The county supervisors long ago showed they lacked the vision and backbone to push through infrastructure projects, especially when they are not glamorous and cost money.

Since our leaders abdicated on the matter, we, the voters, had to raise the funds ourselves with Measure M. And now we’re treated to a series of “pay-for-themselves” toll roads, which, as we’ve now seen, don’t really pay for themselves at all.

It looks like we may end up paying for them two or three times over if things go as badly as they can. As the saying goes, free lunches usually aren’t free at all.

The county supervisors should picture this county 10 and 20 years in the future, do the required serious planning, raise the money and build the freeways we need on a pay-as-we-go basis. No more “money-saving” toll roads!

PAUL RYAN

Brea

*

Re “Other Caltrans Tollway Deals Hurt Freeways,” Dec. 18:

In a nearly secret deal now only coming to light due to a lawsuit, Caltrans agreed to make no improvements to some of Orange County’s most congested freeways, including the Costa Mesa and Santa Ana freeways, for 35 years as part of a special tollway deal barring competition.

Gas tax revenue and other taxes have steadily increased, while new road construction per new resident mile traveled has steadily fallen.

Now there are tolls to pay for the privilege of avoiding traffic the tollways themselves create. The only answer at this point is to remove the tolls and open up the tollways to all.

JONATHAN ANDREW

THATCHER

Corona del Mar

*

Re “Legislators Want Answers on 91 Tollway,” Dec. 15:

It is understandable that investors who made a bad investment would like to unload their problems on others.

The 91 toll road gang not only want to unload their losing investment on the driving public and taxpayers, they want a substantial profit.

If government and taxpayers let them get away with this apparent swindle, shame on us.

Many of us have made bad investments, and when we do we take our loss and go on. So should they.

GEORGE RATNER

Laguna Woods