O/T Indiana Toll Road

I understand that some of you will not be able to read this with an open mind, as you have taken this issue on as some kind of personal affront. I understand this. But I think if you can look at this objectively and reasonably, you will see that it is a win/win for the state and the taxpayers.

Best wishes.

B

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Rod

Your article is from 2 years ago and this article is current; July 7,2008 issue.
It talks about the long toll lines; dirty restrooms in the travel plazas; and even put down on the action figure mascot called i-Zoom Girl.

The toll increases would generate an estimated $770 million in 10 years

I drive a Chevy van with a dual axle trailer, would be $21 for me. Never seems fair to me. Your truck could be 50 tons and I'm only about 4, a tenth of your weight but I paid 2/3rds as much. Just the way it is I guess.

Is this about in line with other tollroads you travel? I know out East it's really bad, NY/NJ, $18 flippin dollars to drive over one bridge or go through one tunnel! Brutal.

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In one of my previous posts I stated that I drive for a living, spent over $2,000 in tolls last year, I don't like paying them either.

Now, how about all the ofther facts in that article? Did you find anything in there that you liked? Like all the interest the state earns on the downpayment? Or that dead animals have to be removed within 8 hours, and potholes fixed within 24 hours? That's faster than any state guys could ever get to it. Or that we can revoke the deal at anytime if they aren't living up to their end of the deal? Or that with interest it actually is about 9 billion in revenue to the state? Or that it pays for all kinds of other projects to be done much sooner, like I-69 being completed 20 years sooner than was originally planned. Does any of that matter at all? Or do you just have your mind set on being mad, and against it?

Look man, I'm not trying to win an argument here. No I told you so's, or celebrating a victory. I honestly understand how you feel, but I just think you are looking at it very narrowly.

Very repsectfully,

Brian

WLKI NEWS Tuesday, July 22, 2008

(SOUTH BEND) - (AP) - The private operator of the Indiana Toll Road says it will resume contract talks Wednesday with the union that represents its toll collectors. Indiana Toll Road Concession Company spokeswoman Amber Scott says its negotiators and members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters will meet at the company's Granger offices. When talks stalled early July, neither side had budged from their stances on the percentage of temporary workers they would accept on the highway. The union wants no more than 10 percent temporary workers, while the company wants 30%. The company operates and manages the Toll Road under a 75-year lease with the state.

I would imagine you are pro-union?

I had to haul "illegal" for a year before I could afford to get DOT/MC and commercial insurance, got a lot of grief from truckers all the time. Three years after that went out of business due to high fuel prices, not uncommon these days I guess. Went back to work for someone else, hate it.

I heard on the news the other day that over 2,000 trucking companies have gone under. Good to see prices falling now, hope it keeps up. Not holding my breathe though.

Good luck.

What about all the other benefits, no mention of that huh?

No thanks. I will go around your state.

Gary