Iowa Toll Road?

jdoggivjc

Well-Known Member
Sep 27, 2006
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Macomb, MI
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Basically the proposal is to turn I-80 into a toll road charging cars at $.08/mile and trucks at $.24/mile. This would finance widening I-80 across the state (probably 6 lanes) and other improvements.

I used to think this was a terrible idea, but then I realized it basically costs $5 to drive across Ohio on I-80 and, other than cops looking to pull out-of-state drivers over, particularly Michiganders, it’s an awesome drive.
 
It's a terrible idea that isn't needed for anyone besides road contractors and the DOT. Nothing like widening the lanes and reducing traffic probably at least 20% at the same time. Brilliant.
 
You serious, Clark?

I hate driving I-80 because it's just two semis governed at the same speed driving 65 miles per hour side-by-*******-side and clogging up traffic from Davenport to Omaha.

I'd be 100% in favor of this.

Up until recently I drove I-80 east to IC/CR once a week. Sure there are times when you get stuck behind two semis but that would amount to a fraction of the drive. Most of the time there are no issues with it. If you're going to raise the amount of cheddar it would take to widen I-80 across the state there are dozens of other infrastructure projects that would be way more worthy of that money.
 
I-80 doesn't need widening.


100% disagree. I-35 does not need widening (besides between Ames to Des Moines). I-80 definitely does. It's full of trucks and with all the gradual hills, I'm constantly behind trucks trying to pass trucks. Took forever to get to Iowa City last week.
 
  • Agree
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I would pay a lot more than that for 235 to get another lane from WDM to Guthrie exit, both directions.
 
Whether it needs to be widened is mostly subjective, but anecdotally the section from DSM to the river is one of the more congested interstate sections out there.
 
100% disagree. I-35 does not need widening (besides between Ames to Des Moines). I-80 definitely does. It's full of trucks and with all the gradual hills, I'm constantly behind trucks trying to pass trucks. Took forever to get to Iowa City last week.

I've made the drive too many times to remember. Yes there are points where it's frustrating. As I mentioned earlier in my experience being stuck and unable to pass amounts to a tiny bit of the total drive. Way bigger problems to throw that kind of money at in my opinion.
 
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I've made the drive too many times to remember. Yes there are points where it's frustrating. As I mentioned earlier in my experience being stuck and unable to pass amounts to a tiny bit of the total drive. Way bigger problems to throw that kind of money at in my opinion.


I'll give you that west of Des Moines to Omaha isn't bad and 3 lanes aren't needed. However, between DSM and IA City would be nice.
 
I've made the drive too many times to remember. Yes there are points where it's frustrating. As I mentioned earlier in my experience being stuck and unable to pass amounts to a tiny bit of the total drive. Way bigger problems to throw that kind of money at in my opinion.
Along I-80? It’s a toll, after all.
 
Generally I am not a fan of it nor am I a fan of widening areas that don't completely need to be widened (Highway 30). That being said the Kansas Turnpike was amazing. How much are we going to spend to construct tolling facilities at EVERY exit along I-80.