Underutilized toll roads

[iBallasticwolf2]

What's even more annoying IMO is the Osceola Parkway, the only toll road I know that's riddled with stoplight and strip malls.

Why the hell is that thing even tolled when it isn't even limited access. It isn't a freeway and shouldn't be tolled.

[vdeane]

Taking US 9, Albany-Saratoga Road was not much better, really dull with all the tall pines along vast straight sections in the Town of Wilton.  Much has changed in 50 years. 

These parts haven't changed at all. I think the stretch from US 9 (exit 13) to the park boundary is the most boring stretch of freeway in the entire state.  The section north of the park in Clinton County isn't much better, but I'm not on that stretch nearly as often, so it doesn't bore me as much.

[NE2]

What's even more annoying IMO is the Osceola Parkway, the only toll road I know that's riddled with stoplight and strip malls.

The toll is essentially for the bridge over Shingle Creek.

[Sykotyk]

This entire four-page thread and not one mention of the Chickasaw Turnpike in Oklahoma?

Got the opportunity to drive this road about 6-7 years ago. Even for a two-lane, it's grossly underutilized. I'm sure most people just take the free road that's just a tad slower than paying the toll. If they extended it from Pauls Valley northeast toward Okmulgee/Tulsa/etc it would be a good shortcut route bypassing OKC from I-35N/I-40E-I-40W/I-35S movements.

[cl94]

This entire four-page thread and not one mention of the Chickasaw Turnpike in Oklahoma?

Got the opportunity to drive this road about 6-7 years ago. Even for a two-lane, it's grossly underutilized. I'm sure most people just take the free road that's just a tad slower than paying the toll. If they extended it from Pauls Valley northeast toward Okmulgee/Tulsa/etc it would be a good shortcut route bypassing OKC from I-35N/I-40E-I-40W/I-35S movements.

I was wondering the same thing. Thing doesn't even make enough revenue to cover expenses.

[OCGuy81]

Usually really light traffic on Orange County toll roads.  I usually fly down 241, making it a great alternative to the 91 when coming back into OC from areas east. 

Not sure the financial situation of them, but there never seems to be too much traffic on em.

[formulanone]

What's the deal with FL 293 by Valpariso? It seems like a tolled Super 2 is a rather pointless idea.

It's primarily a toll bridge. The super 2 section is primarily a bridge approach to make it easier to get to from I10 and VPS. It was built as part of the toll bridge. I think it was largely a funding issue and this way they could build it without spending tax dollars. I have no idea if it's an FDOT highway or a county tolling authority highway.

Ah, the not-enough-money problem.

What's even more annoying IMO is the Osceola Parkway, the only toll road I know that's riddled with stoplight and strip malls.

Fifteen years ago, chances were you dealt with 2 stoplights and it cost $1. Then that Loop Mall section was built. And the John Young flyover was built to serve...John Young. Increased sprawl and more traffic lights.

It was built to serve Walt Disney World without having to deal with I-4, but only made sense if you came from points south on the Turnpike. After you've spent $12 to get there, what's one more?

It's never been particularly busy.

[Occidental Tourist]

Usually really light traffic on Orange County toll roads.  I usually fly down 241, making it a great alternative to the 91 when coming back into OC from areas east. 

Not sure the financial situation of them, but there never seems to be too much traffic on em.

The financial situation's not too hot.  The 73 has never met its use projections and has underperformed.  They combined the operation and finances of the 241/261/133 with the 73 to essentially use the health of the 241/261/133 to bail out the underperforming 73.  As a result, the day when which the tolls can be retired on both sets of roads has been pushed way back, and they've had to refinance the bonds several times in the process.

[jwolfer]

I wonder about all the toll roads in Orlando.  I personally avoid them. The non-toll roads around there have very heavy traffic.

While many people do indeed shunpike the Orlando area toll roads, I don't think they are really underutilized at all.  Last time I was there they had a fairly good amount of traffic.  SR 408 seems to be the busiest of them all.

People don't really shunpike.. They just avoid the tolls. That's why i4is so busy. Now they are making i4 into a partial toll road

[iBallasticwolf2]

Now they are making i4 into a partial toll road

They are only adding Paid lanes to I-4. I-4 will still have free lanes.

[roadman65]

In Orlando, FL- I think that Goldenrod Road is underutilized as they had to lay off the toll collectors after the first few months of operation and go fully automated.

Many of us in Orlando feel that it is dumb for that road to be tolled being its not a freeway so many do not use it. 

[jwolfer]

Now they are making i4 into a partial toll road

They are only adding Paid lanes to I-4. I-4 will still have free lanes.

Partial was meant to imply that.. I should have been clearer. Just like in South Florida the free lanes will be horribly backed up.

[roadman65]

Or like Carrol Street/Hoagland Blvd. in Kissimmee to save 2 bucks on the Osceola Parkway.  People spend more money on gas than they do saving the $2 in tolls.  With the school zones, over crowding of the existing two lane roadway, and long signal at US 192, plus 192 going way out of the way all adds up.  Then when Tapestry is fully developed and traffic gets extremely worse, they will still shumpike the toll.

[US 41]

Sorry to bring up another Mexican toll road, but who in their right mind would take the toll road from Jimenez to Torreon? I put a streetview link of the free road below. It also says in the Rand McNally that the free route is 4 miles shorter. The toll route costs 284 Pesos ($17.57 USD) to use. I doubt to many people, especially truckers use the toll road in this case either.

https://goo.gl/maps/hBnsC

[jwolfer]

Or like Carrol Street/Hoagland Blvd. in Kissimmee to save 2 bucks on the Osceola Parkway.  People spend more money on gas than they do saving the $2 in tolls.  With the school zones, over crowding of the existing two lane roadway, and long signal at US 192, plus 192 going way out of the way all adds up.  Then when Tapestry is fully developed and traffic gets extremely worse, they will still shumpike the toll.

If I have to get to the attractions area from north of Orlando 417 and soon 429 will be worth the toll if I am in a time crunch

[OCGuy81]

Usually really light traffic on Orange County toll roads.  I usually fly down 241, making it a great alternative to the 91 when coming back into OC from areas east. 

Not sure the financial situation of them, but there never seems to be too much traffic on em.

The financial situation's not too hot.  The 73 has never met its use projections and has underperformed.  They combined the operation and finances of the 241/261/133 with the 73 to essentially use the health of the 241/261/133 to bail out the underperforming 73.  As a result, the day when which the tolls can be retired on both sets of roads has been pushed way back, and they've had to refinance the bonds several times in the process.

Sounds about right!  While the 241/261/133 aren't exactly busy by OC standards, they're bustling compared to the 73.  I was on it this past weekend and was flying!

[NJRoadfan]

The Harbor Tunnel Thruway in Baltimore has been busy lately with traffic avoiding the construction at the I-95/395 interchange. Its also handy to bypass the area when there are sporting events or accidents.

As for under utilized roads, I'd put the NC-540 Triangle Expressway up there. Every time I've been on it, its been a ghost town. NCDOT claims its "meeting traffic expectations" though.