Breaking Up Gridlock

The article by Robert Poole Jr., “The Price of Breaking Up Gridlock,” Jan. 17, would have the public believe that the answer to traffic congestion along the San Diego and Ventura freeways is to build toll roads with $240 million of public money. This would benefit only those who can afford these tolls. Poole states that this situation would only ask people to, “pay a few bucks.” How many bucks is a few? Poole mentions the 91 Express Lanes in Orange County as an example of what he proposes. Toll rates have been raised several times since those lanes have been operating and a $35 deposit and other restrictions are imposed on those who would carpool on the 91 Express Lanes. And converting operating HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes on the San Diego Freeway to toll lanes is no answer; neither is trying again to widen the Ventura Freeway.

Poole compares our freeways to airlines and telecommunications business and argues that if you don’t like the service you can switch providers. Highways and freeways are public facilities paid for by taxpayer money; they are not a private business out to make a profit. We don’t need the Reason Foundation’s “innovative approaches” to build us a multi-class system of freeways where the well-to-do get to use facilities based only on the ability to pay. We are all in this together and any improvements made should benefit all.

ROBERT SAUNDERS, North Hollywood