Ramp toll but really a ramp toll

[roadman65]

I was noticing that in Texas along I-45 there is going to be a ramp toll on one of its interchanges starting in July.  Obviously someone found an idea on how to charge a toll on a free interstate, just charge for the use of a better quality ramp.  In actuality the interstate is still free, the cost help pay for the bonds that needed to be sold in order to pay for the work done to build the ramp.

I can see it now, other roadways in other states figuring out how to toll a promised free interstate or other super highway.  Just put up an electronic device on the ramps to get you coming and going to and from the road and put them at all interchanges.

Do you think that this idea is merited that TexDOT invented? What are your thoughts on this.

[briantroutman]

Is this proposed toll collection point on one of the ramps itself–part of I-45's ROW–or is it on the state or local road outside of the I-45 ROW? If it's the former, I assume that they'd have to get some kind of variance from the FHWA to conduct any kind of tolling on an Interstate–regardless of whether the collection point was on the mainline or on an access ramp.

In any event, I don't think this is some new and fantastic loophole. While a state would probably be in within its rights to institute tolls on a state highway immediately adjacent to an Interstate, I doubt the FHWA would sit idly while a state tolled all or even most access points based on the flimsy argument that charging tolls to access an Interstate is not the same as tolling the Interstate. And even if they did, in cases where a US highway or other Interstate interchanged directly, the state would need to get separate authorization to implement a toll on the intersecting highway.

I could imagine, however, cases where a relatively self-contained development (an office park, shopping area, sports complex) might have its access road tolled as a way of offsetting costs associated with constructing a new interchange, but those cases would be relatively few.

[dfwmapper]

You left out the fact that the existing ramps and turning movements are all remaining in place, and the new ramps are only to allow for free-flowing left turn movements for those who don't want to wait at the stoplights. Really no different than building tolled express lanes down the middle of any other freeway.

[swbrotha100]

This is the website for the project: http://www.sh242dc.com/

It looks like this was the idea of Montgomery County, Texas. I don't know if there are any plans to upgrade TX 242 to a freeway or tollway in the future.

[NE2]

Garden State Parkway exit 4.

[bzakharin]

What do they mean by "electronically" tolling? If it isn't an express toll then would this really be better than a traffic light?

[dfwmapper]

It will either require a transponder (there are 3 systems in Texas, HCTRA's EZ Tag, TxDOT's TxTag, and NTTA's TollTag, which are all interoperable for road tolls) or have the option of transponder or pay by mail based on video recognition of the license plate. No cash.

[cl94]

Garden State Parkway exit 4.

I was thinking that. Toll only required in this section if you use that exit.

[roadman65]

Garden State Parkway exit 4.

I was thinking that. Toll only required in this section if you use that exit.

Some may argue that it is still part of the Parkway being tolled and not the ramp.  Even though you could travel freely between the exits north of there, but south of the Cape May Mainline Plaza which does not make it part of the system, you I am sure  some would compare it to the toll added to Exit 74 when it was reconfigured as well.

I myself do agree  with you as you can go around that one easily without paying toll.  Exit 74 not so as you proceed further you have (or had) the Barnegate Plaza to pass through, but some people are not that way.

One might consider the Poinciana Boulevard ramp tolls on the Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee, FL a ramp only toll as you can get around that one as well.  In fact I never paid the toll there as you can legally u turn east of that exit and exit to FL 535 to get to where Poinciana Boulevard goes to. 

[bzakharin]

Garden State Parkway exit 4.

I was thinking that. Toll only required in this section if you use that exit.

Some may argue that it is still part of the Parkway being tolled and not the ramp.  Even though you could travel freely between the exits north of there, but south of the Cape May Mainline Plaza which does not make it part of the system, you I am sure  some would compare it to the toll added to Exit 74 when it was reconfigured as well.

I myself do agree  with you as you can go around that one easily without paying toll.  Exit 74 not so as you proceed further you have (or had) the Barnegate Plaza to pass through, but some people are not that way.

One might consider the Poinciana Boulevard ramp tolls on the Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee, FL a ramp only toll as you can get around that one as well.  In fact I never paid the toll there as you can legally u turn east of that exit and exit to FL 535 to get to where Poinciana Boulevard goes to. 

The Atlantic City Expressway, while fully tolled, has an extra ramp toll at exit 9 in the directions in which the surrounding exits are free (eastbound exit and westbound entrance). You can use exit 7 or 12 to bypass that toll (you'll still be paying at least 75 cents elsewhere, but you will avoid paying the *extra* 75 cents)

[roadman65]

Yes, I remember arguing once with Jeff here about it.  I am guessing that is because of the Airport being there that they got you coming and going.

[FreewayDan]

This is the website for the project: http://www.sh242dc.com/

It looks like this was the idea of Montgomery County, Texas. I don't know if there are any plans to upgrade TX 242 to a freeway or tollway in the future.

According to the North Houston Association, there is a proposal to build a toll road along the SH 242 corridor (Project #30) from I-45 to I-69/US 59.

https://www.north-houston.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88:smp-aerial-map-w-projects&catid=8:site-pages
https://www.north-houston.com/images/documents/2013SMP_aerial_24x36.pdf

[jeffandnicole]

Yes, I remember arguing once with Jeff here about it.  I am guessing that is because of the Airport being there that they got you coming and going.

Yeah...Good times! Lol. There was always a toll exiting WB and entering EB, then they added tolls for the other movements.

BTW an accident destroyed the canopy over the WB exiting ramp. They removed the canopy and didn't replace it.

[cpzilliacus]

I-95 in Delaware and I-95 in Maryland between White Marsh (present-day Exit 68)