Toll Roads: Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em

Re “How to Stop Worrying and Love the Toll Roads,” June 24:

A new survey by the toll roads agencies in Orange County has shown that one of the primary reasons for many drivers not using the toll roads is their fear of “doing the wrong thing” and “getting lost.”

Only a short while ago, historically speaking, those who ventured out West to set up this new frontier called California blazed their own trails with the most primitive means of transportation while fighting all the elements.

A few decades later, the modern Californians, driving in their SUVs and luxury vehicles equipped with all the amenities, enjoying the benefits of Thomas Guide maps and in-vehicle navigation systems in addition to an assortment of directional signs of all sizes and colors, do not feel safe to venture out onto these marvelously paved highways for fear of “getting lost.”

God help us if this is any indication of our social evolution trends.

Hamid Bahadori

Mission Viejo

So, it’s time to stop worrying and love the toll roads?

Next you’ll be telling us to stop worrying about noise and pollution and enjoy the new airport that incidentally will be easily accessible from the new toll road.

Should we also stop worrying that the toll roads already have a non-compete agreement in hand that, should the Foothill South toll road be built, will prevent any improvements to Interstate 5?

Improvements will surely be needed once the sprawl that will follow the toll road congests our existing roads. Of course, why else would anyone spend $400 a month to commute on the Foothill South toll road, unless Interstate 5 becomes completely impassable?

David Bendall

Aliso Viejo

When I hear the words “exotic and ominous,” my thoughts may drift to a desert setting somewhere in the Middle East, or possibly the Sahara, an oasis setting.

For some reason I don’t particularly think of Orange County toll roads. Yet in the article we are told that a recent survey by the Transportation Corridor Agencies finds that the reason people don’t use these roads is because they find them exotic and ominous.

How ludicrous is the TCA going to get before it’s through?

And why is The Times printing what can only be classed as free advertising? How incredible is it that with all the hoopla surrounding these toll roads, TCA’s Lisa Telles is quoted as saying people won’t use the roads because “they’re afraid they’ll do it wrong.” What sort of people are we dealing with here? If the quote is correct, should these people even be allowed behind the wheel of a car?

Maybe a good indication of what we are dealing with is the quote by TCA board member and Irvine Councilwoman Beth Krom, who happily tells us that she thought “giant nets would fall from the sky” the first time she used the toll road that she personally benefits from.

Voters of Irvine, take note.

Stephen Burgess

San Clemente

Please justify to me why you can advertise for the toll road in the guise of a news article.

The toll road agency is spending $61,000 on a marketing effort that includes the mailing of 445,000 coupons to people living near toll roads. Do they really need your plug too? Will you be reporting next on Macy’s White Sale?

Apparently ridership is down on both the San Joaquin and Foothill/Eastern toll roads. Sort of makes you wonder about the enormous popularity TCA claimed for its roads in its recent $48,000 survey, doesn’t it?

Julia Dewees

San Clemente