Planning the future of the US 422 Corridor
How should we fund the needed improvements?
Given the fiscal constraints of infrastructure funding, which option makes the most sense for the US 422 Corridor?
Tolling: Tolling allows money to be raised in the corridor by the corridor commuters. The money will not be spent elsewhere in the state, and in fact is mandated to remain locally to make improvements to the corridor. The corridor is able to completely control how much is raised, how much is spent, and what it is spent on.
Raise the PA Gas Tax: Currently, state funding for transportation is provided through a $0.32 tax on a gallon of gasoline. The gas tax would have to be raised by a minimum of 100% to begin to fund the backlog of projects. Raising the gas tax does not ensure the money will be spent on the US 422 Corridor, given the infrastructure needs of the region and state.
Vehicle Miles Tax: A vehicle miles tax assesses a predetermined rate per mile driven. The state would assess a tax based upon the total miles driven during a year. Those that drive more, pay more. This strategy, much like raising the gas tax, does not ensure that state transportation dollars will be spent in the US 422 Corridor.
Do Nothing: Doing nothing will ensure that drivers are not required to pay additional fees. The implications of doing nothing include: continual degradation of our roadways, increasing congestion and traffic, limited transit options, declining economic competitiveness, and a general decline in the quality of life for residents, workers, and business owners
The US 422 Master Plan is the blueprint for addressing the needs of the corridor. The recommendations take a progressive approach to solving the problems created by poor planning decisions made in the past. The corridor has the option to control its destiny, which option works best for you?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by US 422 Corridor on -
US 422 is a federal aid highway and subject to the United States code which governs how money can be raised and spent on said highways. Title 23, Chapter 1, Section 129 of the United States code clearly states the "all toll revenues received from operation of the toll facility will be used first for debt service, for reasonable return on investment of any private person financing the project, and for the costs necessary for the proper operation and maintenance of the toll facility, including reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation. If the State certifies annually that the tolled facility is being adequately maintained, the State may use any toll revenues in excess of amounts required under the preceding sentence for any purpose for which Federal funds may be obligated by a State under this title."
Any revenue raised must first be used to fix the highway, that is not a choice, it is mandated. Regarding the cost of the tolls, the amount has not been set yet. A study is set to begin shortly which will evaluate the feasibility of tolling, and what the toll revenues must be to pay the debt service for repairs. Until the study has been completed, any amount shown for US 422 tolls is pure speculation and subject to change.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Israel on
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You could put HOV lanes each direction on 422. Then you could run a load of buses back and forth in those lanes all day long for a fraction of the cost of a train. During off peak and emergency hours, those lanes benefit more than the 1.5% of the population who would benefit from the train.
Keep pushing for tolls and you will all but guarantee your special interest project will be deader than national health care.
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Permalink Reply by Max Goldman on
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They run buses now and no one rides them, Seniors can ride free and still no one rides them, so what makes them think people are going to get on trains that will not go anywhere near you work or shop. I spoke against the tolls at the Springford High school. The train lobby wants the trains, and guess what they will be built overseas. I'm with you on this one.
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Permalink Reply by US 422 Corridor on
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Both HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) and HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes were evaluated as part of the R6 Extension study, available on this site, as a method to fund rail improvements. Both were determined to be cost prohibitive. Either plan still requires constructing a lane that does not currently exist. Relying upon existing funding sources for improvements to US 422 means that projects will be limited in scope and delayed in progress. This discussion is intended to raise discussion on creating a funding stream that will ensure investments can be made on the US 422 Corridor.
As mentioned above, revenue raised on the facility must first be dedicated to the maintenance, operation, and improvement of the facility. Only excess revenue may be dedicated towards secondary projects such as transit improvements. Continued speculation on the amount of tolls or the secondary projects funded by them is and will continue to be purely speculative.
This forum is intended to garner concepts for raising revenue to make improvements for the US 422 Corridor. Discussion must remain relevant to the original topic.
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Permalink Reply by Josh Frantz on
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What are the realistic options? Tolling is one. Commuter rail is another. Both are viable methods to help ease congestion. I'd also like to see lights on the entrance ramps, much like they have on 476 south of the Schuylkill Expy. For a start though, I'd get my pound of flesh from the builders/developers of any new developments moving forward.
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Permalink Reply by Shane Scherch on
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We should seek grants, of course. But tolling is a terrible idea. We should charge an impact tax on on all new residential and retail construction, which increase traffic and sprawl (however, we should not charge the tax on new offices, because these bring high paying jobs, and opportunities for local people to work in the area without commuting on 422). We also should consider a tax on all homes and retail centers built since 1985 along the corridor (and this would include my home), to pay for the expansion and improvement of 422, and for a rapid bus transit system (rail is not a good option, because its too expensive, and the destinations along the corridor are not convenient to possible stations and/or are not pedestrian friendly).
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Permalink Reply by Norman Castor -
I am totally opposed to ANY form of tolls or tax increases to pay for this project. Many residents along the 422 corridor are impacted by the recession as anyone and an increase to taxes would hurt a lot of people.
The typical 422 traffic patterns have become almost "rush hour" like throughout the day and night and tolls would only add to the chaos. Not to mention the impact on side roads and bordering communities. I think a toll would only increase the amount of traffic on the side roads and communities and create an additional financial burden on those communities through increased use and road maintenance costs, accidents increasing etc.
I think the only viable option for any 422 project is to utilize federal funds. Apply for grants and for state assistance. If anything, the road can be expanded to three lanes going into and out of King of Prussia much like the Route 202 project which helped to alleviate some of the traffic tie ups
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