Stand by for another raise in tolls.

[Clipper]

cnycentral.com/news/local/report-thruway-faces-12-billion-funding-gap#

I am sure that other states are struggling with the costs of highway maintenance and repairs. Many bridges have reached the point of either needing replacement or major maintenance, and there is always the every day costs of pavement replacement and repair, as well as the costs of plowing, grass mowing and tasks that are present in maintaining ANY highway. At least the Thruway is one interstate highway that has toll revenues to lessen the blow. On the other hand I am left to wonder whether the amount of revenue realized through tolls results in a reduction in federal funding.

How economical is it for NY State to have a state "authority" dedicated to maintaining and operating the Thruway? I have noticed since moving here that the significant portion of highway maintenance of the interstates here is performed by contractors. Plowing, mowing, litter pick-up is contracted. It seems logical to me that there would have to be a major savings in labor, benefit costs and the cost of purchasing and maintaining equipment. I am inclined to believe that it must be more cost effective or else the state would be shouldering the cost and responsibility of having the state DOT doing the work. It also most likely reduces the number of taxpayer paid employees leaning on shovels as opposed to those actually productively performing any work.

[clarencebunsen]

The concept of the Thruway being "user funded"(maintenance and new construction paid for through tolls) has been an obvious fantasy for years. Perhaps it is time for fresh thinking.

[kit]

The NYS Thruway is a money-maker for New York State. How many other states charge a fee for using a federal highway as it runs through their state? When the Thruway was built, Governor Dewey said that when it was completed there would be no more fees. Ha!

It's very rare that I use the Thruway any more. I'd rather take the lesser roads and enjoy the views, shopping and restaurants in the towns along the way. Although the world seems to go faster nowadays, it doesn't. There are still 24 hours in a day and I don't mind allotting a few extra minutes to reach my destination driving through towns. It's more enjoyable and I save a little money.

[Clipper]

The last time we were in CNY we stayed at the Red Roof in in Herkimer and with most of the relatives and people we wanted to visit being in Utica, Sherrill, and Verona Beach, we purchased an EZ Pass at a convenience market in Binghamton for $25. We must not have used up the original $25 because we never received a bill or saw any extra charge on our credit card. Kathy and I were debating whether or not to even bother buying the EZ pass this year.

The plan as of now is to get off I-81 in Syracuse and take Rt 5 to Oneida and 365 to our hotel in Verona. As you stated Kit, taking the lesser roads is much more enjoyable that zooming up and down the Thruway. After all, we will be on vacation with no urgent need to be in any hurry to get anywhere.

We were saying that it is too bad that gas prices are what they are. We would love to drive the motorhome and stay at the Turning Stone RV park, but it is significantly cheaper to stay in a hotel. I have been prepping the motorhome for summer and today I am going to fill the gas tank. It is down to 1/4 tank because I didn't stop and fill on the way home from our last camping trip. It is going to cost in excess of $100. It will be a big ouch day at the pump. We will probably be limiting our travels with the motorhome to destinations within 100 miles of home.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

When I had a car I always took lesser roads to and from Syracuse and Utica which I did at least once a week. When I was in grad school I would use the thruway from Rochester to Syracuse then see some friends in Syracuse then head home to Utica via Route 5. I always loved that Route.

[clarencebunsen]

Most of the states in the NE have tolls, most outside the NE do not. It is very difficult to get a real P/L statement for toll roads in NY. It has always seemed to me to be a cash box for politicians. Get a job for a relative or friend, steer a contract to a doner... just NY politics as usual.

[BHU]

Just wondering who these state employees are who are leaning on shovels & why with all the motorists passing by them daily I haven't heard of any major complaints about lousy good for nothing state employees leaning on shovels on the taxpayer dime. Lol

[Clipper]

You are probably correct BHU. Most likely they contract most of the physical labor other than truck drivers and equipment operators. Actually I can't ever remember actually seeing anyone leaning on a shovel.