Blessings for Toll Roads

* As a frequent traveler to San Diego, I am a toll road aficionado. In fact, every time I drive down there, I wish the toll road went farther south.

As soon as the 73 merges with the 5, I’m immersed in traffic. Rather than being skeptical about adding toll roads in Orange County, maybe The Times should conduct its own survey to determine whether Southern California commuters would prefer to sit in traffic or would rather shave 30 minutes off their daily commute.

It’s disappointing to see that the Transportation Corridor Agencies are being attacked for preparing for the future. What other organizations have taken a risk in investing in Orange County’s commuters?

Rather than scold them for “miscalculations” (Sept. 12 editorial), I think they should be applauded for taking a proactive route to solving Orange County’s growing pains.

JENNIFER GONZALEZ

Corona del Mar

* The Times needs to keep an open mind about the success of the toll roads.

We can’t imagine life without them and are sure the other 200,000 daily riders would agree. Who cares about the projections? That’s just what they were, a reading from a crystal ball over a decade ago.

Of importance is the fact that the Transportation Corridor Agencies are able to service the debt on bond repayment, and to my knowledge they have yet to miss a payment.

Furthermore, you continue to position the refinancing of the bonds as though it was a financial crisis strategy. Wrong again.

The TCA appears to be smart in the finance area and refinanced to secure more favorable market rates and terms. This is no different than refinancing your house to get better interest rates.

Additionally, toll roads to Southern California are a new category, new business, new service, new product.

Like any new product, refinement takes place as the product goes through its life cycle.

Things like adjusting pricing by time of day, increasing toll rates or charging nominal fees for the luxury of convenience are all part of making a business and product successful.

I can hardly wait for the Foothill South project to be complete, and I know there are far more people that do use the toll roads than use the parks of California.

JANIS ARENDSEN

Vista

* It’s strange The Times is picking on the toll roads. On Sept. 12, you reported the San Diego Freeway carries an average of 200,000 cars daily.

And a recent ad for the toll roads reported 1,388,898 trips were taken in a week for the three roads combined.

I figure that means the toll roads are taking almost as many cars every day as the San Diego Freeway.

As a customer who uses the roads almost every day, I believe these roads are the difference between living my life on the freeway and having a life because of the toll roads.

I can’t wait for the Foothill to be extended to San Clemente. Weekend traffic on the I-5 through San Clemente is unbearable and will only be eased if the Foothill is finished. Don’t take this road away from us.

ART CARTER

San Clemente