Why should private companies make money on roads?

Date published: 6/30/2005

There have been numerous articles about the addition of high-occupancy toll lanes, or "HOT lanes," to Interstate 95 ["Two HOT lane proposals outlined," June 4].

We all know that we need more lanes for Interstate 95, but I don't believe we have thought it through with today's circumstances in mind.

The "hot" topic is the addition of toll lanes by private enterprise. If private enterprise wants to take on the addition of lanes to I-95, they would do that only if they could make money. If private enterprise can make money, then why shouldn't the state of Virginia do it and make money?

When the state does this kind of work, it's all contracted out to private enterprise--from the design to the construction.

As taxpayers and area residents, we need the facilities to support our society. The state is responsible to the citizens. If we are talking about money for societal expenses, then the best thing for the citizens is what should be considered.

If money is to be made on roads, then the state should make the money, not private enterprise.

My opinion is that, absolutely, more lanes or roads need to be added--but not as toll lanes. We all pay taxes to pay for those roads, and we all should be able to use them.

If you look at I-95 at certain times, the HOV lanes are about 20 percent full and (in the Woodbridge area) the regular lanes are so overloaded that the traffic is going only about 15 to 20 mph.

If you do an analysis of need based on what is actually going on, the real need is to add more regular lanes, because that is where the congestion is.

Barry N. Sisson

Stafford

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Date published: 6/30/2005