Poll Finds Favorable Impression of Toll Roads

When it comes to Orange County’s 51 miles of toll roads, those who live near them have mostly positive things to say, according to a survey released Tuesday by toll road officials.

About eight in 10 said they had driven the roads--although only one quarter of those said they used the roads often.

Nearly 60% said they had a favorable impression of the toll roads and three-quarters said they believed the entire 67-mile system should be completed.

So far, the Foothill/Eastern and San Joaquin Hills corridors are in operation in the county.

Still, even with mostly good vibrations about the road, half of those polled said they believed the toll roads should not receive federal and state tax funds for road building. Toll road officials have said they would like to pursue such funds to aid in the construction of the proposed Foothill South toll road.

The toll roads are financed largely through bonds purchased by private investors. When more than $3 billion in debt on the road is paid off, the roads are scheduled to be turned into freeways.

The poll was conducted the first week of October by Baldassare Associates.