As of today, the highways of Connecticut remain toll-less. Shortly after entering neighboring New York or Massachusetts, though, one can expect o see the overhead toll devices. The toll booths are gone and so are some of the lines. But the major intersections still get backup just the same. So why isn’t Connecticut following suit and charging folks for driving on their highways?
Well, it’s not for lack of trying. Returning tolls to Connecticut roads is an issue that is definitely on the table. If you ask Connecticut residents about it, most drivers will have an opinion, as they are the ones who stand to have their daily commutes impacted. Opinions also abound among Connecticut business owners. Tolls do make a difference to the business community, as well.
Most of the reasoning behind adding tolls to Connecticut’s roads is they will support infrastructure improvement. Still many businesses don’t find much comfort in this. They view tolls as unnecessary and unfair. When Governor Ned Lamont first started pushing for tolls, he was only thinking of taxing trucks. Now, for a business that actually has trucks on the ground every day, this drives up operating expenses. (Lamont has since stated that cars need to pay tolls, also.)
Fleet Operations
If a business has a fleet of vehicles on the road, they can multiply the added expense of passing through tolls. They will add that to the fuel taxes, road taxes and insurance that they are already paying for. Then they will most likely pass this increase on to their customers. This won’t make too many people happy.
Local businesses will have to deal with added congestion on local roads, as they go through their business day. Congestion and delays are a likely side effect of toll roads. Especially as more vehicles move from the highways to the local roads. This ultimately leads to decreased productivity for businesses, which, in turn, effects their bottom line.
As the state wrestles with this idea of adding tolls to its highways, folks hope that the lawmakers really do consider the effect that this will have on everyone, from the daily commuter traveling from Hartford to New Haven to the local fuel company supplying oil to its customers.
WTNH
