Ga. 400 toll extension: Broken promise or understandable?
The public often worries that so-called “sunsets” on increased taxes, fees and tolls just don’t happen. The sun never sets.
Well, when it comes to Ga. 400, the skeptics may be right.
The 50-cent toll on Ga. 400 is set to expire next summer after the road finishes paying for itself. But the toll may be extended for years to fund improvements along the highway, AJC staffer Ariel Hart is reporting.
The state is also considering an increase in the toll to $1 for those who pay cash — to encourage drivers to sign up for a Cruise Card, Hart writes.
The authority could come to a decision on the tolls as early as next Friday.
What do you think? Another broken promise? Par for the course?
Or is the extension understandable, given our transportation and fiscal needs?
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63 comments Add your comment
Mel
September 17th, 2010
5:57 am
Did anyone really think the toll would ever go away? Once the government is in your pocket; they never willingly take their hand out of it. Just ask drivers in Florida.
Greg
September 17th, 2010
6:16 am
Politics – from poly meaning many, and ticks meaning blood suckers
shaggy
September 17th, 2010
6:17 am
Tell Sam Massell to stick his Buckhead ramp.
The most horrible, idiotic, and dangerous interchange, perhaps in the whole region, IS the GA 400N / I-285E or W interchange. THAT is the one that needs fixing.
Fix it and Fix it NOW!
bobfromacworth
September 17th, 2010
6:19 am
The government is addicted to taxes/fees/tolls/etc. and will continue the tolls as long as we keep electing the same type of people. Just ask anyone up north where tolls abound and the toll roads are the worst maintained of any road. I recently drove the W.Va. turnpike portion of I-77 and it is still just as bad as it was when I was a kid and traveled up there with my parents. It just has 4 lanes instead of 2 or 3 like it did then.
Grant
September 17th, 2010
6:38 am
There should be protests starting next April to shame politicians into action. The road has been paid off. This is just another tax on the people of north Atlanta. Toll roads are a product of tax and spend northerners. TAKE THE TOLL OFF LIKE YOU PROMISED !!!
Punch
September 17th, 2010
6:40 am
Tea Party revolt. Time to kick the morons out of office. We have a saying in North GA…dead from the neck up! Neither Deal nor Barnes are qualified to hold office! Vote your conscience Georgia and throw all incumbents out. The FREE RIDE is over for incumbents. VOTE and send the message.
USMC2841
September 17th, 2010
6:43 am
Opposition to this sort of thing could get a man elected. T.E.A. Taxed Enough Already. Maybe you’ve seen something about it in the news lately?
Karl Marx
September 17th, 2010
6:46 am
There is NO SUCH thing as a “Temporary Tax” to a government official. Anything they can tax will become permanent. Folks the Republicans are just as bad a Democrats and both are lairs . Lets institute our own version of term limits and vote these morons out of office after 1 term.
The names
September 17th, 2010
7:00 am
Why do you ask the question? It is OBVIOUSLY a broken promise, and you as a reporter should print the text of the original promise, and the names – THE NAMES – of those attempting to break it.
BobDawg
September 17th, 2010
7:04 am
….If a politician was smart in this new “Tea” enviornment… i would make sure that a promise to close the toll on this is followed through to the end. Just like the comments above which I agree on… most toll roads are the worst maintained in the region as funds are diverted for “other” projects and monies are NOT earmarked for the toll roads since the TOLLS should pay for the improvements and don’t. Let’s face it. The SuperSpeeder law has been a disaster for the local Gov’t and this will probably be used to suppliment it….
Karl Marx
September 17th, 2010
7:11 am
“….If a politician was smart in this new “Tea” environment… ” Hey they( politicians ) created the tea party by their moronic tax raising actions. So they are not smart enough. We need to continue to vote these nitwits out at the state and local levels too..
meinpvb
September 17th, 2010
7:20 am
When this road was first being built I KNEW that the sneaky government would find a way to keep that toll charge going past its promised end. These snakes do this and then wonder aloud why people don’t trust government and/or why they aren’t re-elected. I live in Florida now but when I visit Atlanta I drive to avoid the toll. Good luck north Fulton county – just another way to grab your hard earned money!!!
Browncoat
September 17th, 2010
7:23 am
We are cowards. We need a revolution. Fortunately, we get that chance every two years. For once, vote them all out of office and send a message that broken promises will not be tolerated.
dagnabit
September 17th, 2010
7:40 am
Let’s wait and see which politicians vote to extend this tax on north fulton. Will legislators in other parts of the state vote for the north fulton tax?
Matt
September 17th, 2010
7:45 am
This is exactly the reason why people do not trust politicians. They won’t keep their own promises and they have never seen a tax or revenue stream they didn’t like. It’s a joke. This makes me sick to my stomach and is an outrage.
Chief
September 17th, 2010
8:10 am
I think it’s cute some of you thought the toll wouldn’t be extended. Ah, to be young and naive again…
fed up
September 17th, 2010
8:10 am
They already broke their promise to remove the toll once the extension was paid for. Why would we trust anything they say now.
shaggy
September 17th, 2010
8:23 am
Wow, It’s amazing to think that people are just now starting to realize that politicians are cooked liars that only care about their power and reelection.
Most of you whine and cry about your representative government and then, go right and vote for the same jackasses. Not me. I refuse to choose the less of 2 evils, when they are one and the same.
Oh, if 20 years ago, you really thouht they would keep this promise, you were a fool 20 years ago. Might as well fix something that needs fixing, like GA400 N / I-285 east or west interchange. That is MUCH more needed than another Buckhead exit.
Down with OTP
September 17th, 2010
8:27 am
They need to move the toll north of 285. You loosers are the ones that use the road, and you are not moving anyway.
Mad Dawg
September 17th, 2010
8:49 am
Throw all the bums out and start over! We have come to expect politicians to lie, cheat and steal to the extent that no even blinks at their blatant money grabs. Throw them out and keep throwing them out until we get new breed of public servants. Join me at the polls in November!
Double Zero Eight
September 17th, 2010
8:53 am
Is anyone really surprised????? I hope not. It is just a matter of time
before our politicians tell us we need to build another dome for sports, and how it will benefit the citizens!
If you want to experience bureaucracy and chaos, contact the D.O.T.
I called them about some needed repairs on an interstate. I spoke to
ten engineers, and it took seven months to get the repairs done.
They initially denied that the repairs needed to be completed.
joe
September 17th, 2010
8:57 am
That is the dnager of allowing our politicians to start any new taxing… it does not go away without a fight even when promised to expire. The only way to ensure it expires is to ensure your local representatives that their terms (in office) will expire before the sunsets! We must fire these career politicians quickly and remind the new ones that they too can be looking for an paying “job” before they start campaigning on a second term. Its the only way to get them to really represent the wants of the people as a whole and not some rich interest group.
BW
September 17th, 2010
9:01 am
LOL….all this is hilarious. To the question of course the toll was never coming off the road. On the flip side new interchanges for GA400 at I-285 and at the SIdney Marcus cluster**ck are needed. If any of you people work in Buckhead and need to go through that intersection you know that to be the case. I think the politicians need to lay out the details of this new cost and be honest about the needs of the road. It’s hilarious to think that some of you think that a) costs are always static (no inflation) and b) that you actually think that the infrastructure costs aren’t going to come out of your pockets via tolls or fees. Get a grip people…all this outrage just manifesting itself now as if you haven’t been getting screwed for years…it’s really a question of who you want to be screwed by
Matt
September 17th, 2010
9:05 am
Fine, I’ll just go another way and bypass the toll booth altogether. At least there’s a way around this bull$#!t tax. They call it a toll, but it’s really a thinly-veiled tax.
KB
September 17th, 2010
9:11 am
Is anyone suprised? This toll is a cash cow for the lawmakers. If you really want to use the money for the state (gang this is the act of our state government that we ourselves elected), give it to some of the failing systems in state government like the various hospitals and schools. Don’t lie to us.
BB
September 17th, 2010
9:12 am
Not as bad as the revenue generation section of PIB north of 285.
That has become a cash cow for City of Doraville.
shaggy
September 17th, 2010
9:12 am
They are going to keep the toll, because the voters have no spine, when it comes right down to it. They will continue to vote for their favorite commercial add and turn the channel back to something that really means something to them. TMZ, American Idol, etc…
That best thing to do is to at least use the money where it is needed: GA400 N / I-285 East or West interchange.
winkasdad29
September 17th, 2010
9:20 am
All this railing about the toll. I understand it. However, you have some of the best roads in the country in Georgia. If the toll is ended, then how will a new ramp needed from 400 to I-85 be built? It’s a public road, so public dollars fund it. How will 400 continue to be maintained?
It’s one thing to holler and scream and complain, but how about some solutions? I don’t really care about what other states do with their tolls. Georgia has been responsible in how the money is spent. You should be thankful for that – and your nice, smooth, fast pavement.
Shaking my Head
September 17th, 2010
9:24 am
This is obviously a broken promise and very typical of government behavior. Lies. Lies. And more lies.
It is my hope that this situation does not blow over quickly…I would like to see those responsible asked some uncomfortable questions.
Politicians…if you are listening…we are P*SSED.
Shocked
September 17th, 2010
9:28 am
Wow! After observing Atlanta politics for 25 years, I certainly didn’t see this coming!
Kevin
September 17th, 2010
9:29 am
If the DOT would fix the dysfunctional mess that is Sidney Marcus/GA-400/85 NB, I wouldn’t mind keeping the toll. That one square mile section of Atlanta is the source of untold hours of commute time for thousands of people.
Raped by Government
September 17th, 2010
9:31 am
Imagine that! Revenue that government doesn’t want to give up. That’s why I never vote for any tax increase, EVER! Once you vote to increase the taxes, government gets used to the additional revenue and expects it forever. Limit the amount of revenue they receive and it will force them to be more fiscally responsible!
Outsource the Roads... HAHA
September 17th, 2010
9:33 am
Can’t we outsource our roads and ports to foreigners and get the money right now? Oh… wait… we already do.
Somewhat like “White Guilt”, Americans have leveled the playing field for the world and now they’re taking it all. The US government had better rid itself of this guilt and start carrying the BIG STICK that gave us our financial strength and freedoms.
1gadawg
September 17th, 2010
9:37 am
just wait, this is only the beginning. Not only will this toll road stand, the whole reason of pushing the toll card in commercials is because we have allowed the same idiots who believe that the toll roads up north and in Florida are a good idea, to push their agenda to make Atlanta and Georgia the same. Next up is the I-85 tolls soon to be followed by toll roads on I-285. All this does is create another government entity that will be poorly run and costly all at the expense of the taxpayer! VOTE THEM OUT!!!
BW
September 17th, 2010
9:43 am
So many complaints no solutions or even ideas…more bit**in about “politicians” that you continue to elect…people there’s too much money floating around in politics for it to be reformed…cry and moan all day if you want to but “vote the bums out” is not an answer. You want to bring down the system…fine…but you better have something to replace it with too. Just stop the naivete…you WILL pay for the services you use….just be honest that you would rather be beholden to the state rather than the feds…you can have as much freedom and liberty as you want….as long as you pay your minimum payment on your bills….you people honestly believe you are free…LOL
Double Zero Eight
September 17th, 2010
9:45 am
The design was atrocious from the onset. The D.O.T. should have had enough foresight to do it right the first time. With the number of engineers and analysts involved in the project, and the projected growth for metro Atlanta, there is no excuse for the final approved design.
Troglodyke
September 17th, 2010
9:48 am
All this railing about the toll. I understand it. However, you have some of the best roads in the country in Georgia. If the toll is ended, then how will a new ramp needed from 400 to I-85 be built? It’s a public road, so public dollars fund it. How will 400 continue to be maintained?
BINGO! We have a winner! While the promise to end the toll was obviously an empty one, and I don’t want to pay any more FREAKIN’ taxes, you people conveniently forget this.
Why shouldn’t the USERS of the road pay for its upkeep and changes? You take away the toll, where will that money come from? Property taxes? MORE taxes should be set up like road tolls: USERS PAY.
Speeding tickets and other traffic violations are another great example. Why shouldn’t counties, cities, and states use traffic violation tickets as a way to make revenue? LOSER pays is perfect. Don’t want to pay the tax? Slow down and drive like a mature adult. Don’t want to pay the toll? Skip that section of the road. It’s so simple a child could figure it out.
I wish ALL our taxes were based on this, rather than the “rape everyone” system that pervades now.
I use 400 once a week, and I am fine to keep paying that toll. I certainly don’t want my property taxes to go up to pay for it.
So, those of you who whine that it will never end: how else should the road be paid for? What is fair? I know politicians are liars, but answer the question!
David
September 17th, 2010
9:48 am
Politicians lie. 20 years in the future is a long time to make a commitment to end a temporary tax. Now that time has come they realize they “cannot” follow through with a promise made to get the road built. Really is anyone surprised? I do not use the road so I do not care from that perspective. But the entire idea makes me sick. But then government makes me sick.
Troglodyke
September 17th, 2010
9:51 am
Get rid of our state income taxes, and put tolls on ALL our roads. It’s a great way to reduce unnecessary traffic, and it works for Florida.
Yes, I drive. Plenty. I love my car.
Fred
September 17th, 2010
9:52 am
To Troglodyke:
I do not argue with your logic. Consumption based tax at its best! What I argue with is the logic behind the implementation. A promise to end the tolls. Then a decision to not. That smacks me as lying. Of course these are public officials so anything they say should be treated as such.
John
September 17th, 2010
9:53 am
“They need to move the toll north of 285. You loosers are the ones that use the road, and you are not moving anyway.”
If you’re not using the road, what does it matter where the toll is located?
Double Zero Eight
September 17th, 2010
9:59 am
Most of the D.O.T. funds come from the gasoline tax. Prior to 400, there were no toll roads in Metro Atlanta. The work does need to be done. I recall many politicians specifically promising that the toll
would not be extended under any circumstances. Why would anyone
really believe a politician making a long term commitment?
andres de mexico
September 17th, 2010
10:03 am
I share the anger and frustration expressed in many of the comments.
But the 400/I-85 intersection IS a God-awful mess. Unfortunately, it will cost money to fix. And the money will come from tolls or taxes… what other options are there?
I would prefer to let the users pay – in the form of a toll – rather than see my income or property taxes go up.
Yes, some of the politicians here are dishonest, but many of them are honest as well. The US still works as a country, unlike many others. Let’s suck it up, and pay a toll.
Troglodyke
September 17th, 2010
10:07 am
What I argue with is the logic behind the implementation. A promise to end the tolls. Then a decision to not. That smacks me as lying. Of course these are public officials so anything they say should be treated as such.
I will not disagree with you on that. At all.
Revote
September 17th, 2010
10:54 am
400 serves more than the Buckhead community. All users of 400 should not be forced to finance one community’s needs. If there is sufficient support to extend the toll, let it be revoted on.
A dad
September 17th, 2010
10:54 am
Just how stupid and ignorant do our politicians think we are (obviously, that answer is “very!”). Keep the toll to pay for future projects on 400? Why is 400 the only road that has to pay for itself? What about road projects for I-75, I-85, 20, and all the other thoroughfares in the area? Why does 400 only have to pay for the 400/I-85 interchange remake (whenever that happens, I’ll believe it when I see it). I-85 is involved too, right? Where’s the toll on that road?
No, as previously stated, it’s a source of income our politicians can’t wean themselves off of. Gorging at the trough. Here’s some advice Gold Domers, I’m voting against everyone I can who voted to keep the toll, and will do so in every election from now on until everyone I can vote for has been voted out of office.
A dad
September 17th, 2010
10:58 am
To those worried about money, here’s a cash cow that won’t ever go away and would probably not only fund the budget single-handedly, but also give us a surplus and maybe even a tax rebate. Simply start ticketing smokers for all those cigarette butts they toss out the window of their cars (what, no ashtrays in the car). Judging bythe amount of butts I see littering and lining all ur raodways, that would be a huge cash flow into state coffers. How about $25 first offense, $50 second offense, and $100 for third and above. Really now, smokers can’t stop smoke even with what, $4+ a pack tax? Nope, they’ll continue to smoke and toss their garbage out inthe street (where my tax dollars have to help pick it up). Clean up the environment and fund the state budget simultaneously.
Fed Up
September 17th, 2010
11:19 am
We did our part. We paid for 400 Extension. Now remove toll. If they want to build a ramp for access from 400S to 85N (or for 85S to 400N) then move the toll over there. If they want to improve 400/285 Extension take it out of GA DOT budget. Why do we N. Fultons have to pay for our roads and no one else does? Heck, if they want revenue stream just take all the excess funds we have in our 400 Account and build other toll booths around Atlanta area and spread the wealth (or cost). This is pathetic. And so is that wench that runs the Ga Tollway Authority. By the way the only other toll way in Georgia (St Simons Casueway) did have their tolls removed after they paid. There is a precident.
gdlockwo
September 17th, 2010
11:41 am
Gotta love politicians, they are predictable. Did anyone think they would ever let this tax go? It will go up if anything.
cheapskate
September 17th, 2010
12:06 pm
The deposit you pay for the cruise card is actually a source of funding for the toll system – it’s an ‘free’ loan. This is why they’re interested in forcing the use of these cards by charging more for cash users. It’s like Marta and the little tricks they play with overcharging and expiring breeze cards – a windfall. Who knows how many of these deposits will never return to the drivers?
Where is the accountability? The toll was meant to pay for the ROAD – not meant to become a self-sustaining entitlement system for government workers.