And here: 407 ETR
Also discussed here: (You-Tube, 97 min video, Jan. 26. 2009)
With over 42 pages of references, libertarian Walter Block presents arguments for the privatization of all roads and highways, after analyzing and dismissing many of the counter arguments to his proposition that claim that continued public ownership is too big and serves the public interest too well to throw it away. Block’s analysis of road pricing and tolls, in particular, is worth careful study even if you do not share his opinion which in essence depends on the free market and the ability of those adversely affected to sure the private owner for damages – whether it be loss of life or air pollution impacts on health.
Supporting his vision (but not noted in the book) is one of the first successful electronic road pricing projects in North America- highway 407, tendered for lease at $3 B and since 2001 privately owned and operated (principal owners: Cintra Infraestructuras S.A and the Canada Pension Plan) that provides a quicker trip of 108 km (65 miles approx) across the top of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) using transponders and remote cameras capable of identifying license plates for those who lack transponders. Many of the issues Block discusses about highway safety and the difficulties public road management would has seem to have been overcome though private ownership.
Key Quotes:
“Pollution and pollution controls on automobiles would also be handled by road privatization. If auto pollution were to grow too thick, people living near the offending roads would sue the biggest, most obvious target: the road owners. Road owners would therefore charge higher fees for cars without up-to-date inspection stickers”
“Just as you can now purchase long-distance telephone minutes anonymously at convenience stores, you would be able to purchase toll-road miles with cash, and stick the magnetic miles card under a fender.”
“Every year since 1925 has seen the death of more than 20,000 people. Since 1929, the yearly toll has never dropped below 30,000 per year.”
“traffic congestion: it is bad, and it is getting worse. The average motorist1 spent 26 more hours per year in bumper-to-bumper traffic in 2000 than he did in 1990.”
“There is little doubt that, at least in the long run, a private highway and street industry would utilize electronic road pricing (ERP).”
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