Would roads/freeways/highways be better kept if they were all privatized?
- Thread starter her209
- Start date
Nope it would be the same crappy road . . . there would just be a regressive 'use charge' for everyone that had to use them.
IIRC, in some European countries companies that build roads are responsible for maintaining them for some period. As opposed to the USA where jobs go to the lowest (and best connected bidder), the project goes over budget, project is late, project doesn't meet specs, and project begins to show wear within a few years.
IIRC, in some European countries companies that build roads are responsible for maintaining them for some period. As opposed to the USA where jobs go to the lowest (and best connected bidder), the project goes over budget, project is late, project doesn't meet specs, and project begins to show wear within a few years.
3chordcharlie
Diamond Member
- Mar 30, 2004
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Well, if another privat company had a completely parallel road then there would be pressure for each to manitain the roads, but given the limitations of geography and construction costs, there would be no incentive for private road owners to provide better roads than there are now.
I think that since roads in so/cal don't have to deal with frost and freezing/thawing, your roads last longer and can deal with being crap longer before being completely useless. further, closing a major route for 5 year to redo the road would reek havok. Hence your roads get mediocre maintenance.
Zorba
Lifer
- Oct 22, 1999
- 15,613
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The turnpikes in Oklahoma are ran by a "private" copy and they suck worse than the normal roads. All of the worst road in Oklahoma (which is saying a lot) are turnpikes. The construction on them is very slow and planned like crap. The turnpike between Tulsa and Oklahoma City has had construction on it everytime I've taken it for my entire life and it costs ~$4 one-way. So I think private companies would suck at least as bad as the state, probably worse because you can't vote them out.
At least we have "freeways" in California. You can keep all of your toll roads and turnpikes. That kind of crap reminds me of the middle ages with toll booths and such.
Ruptga
Lifer
- Aug 3, 2006
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I can agree, the I-44 toll section between Tulsa and Missouri was a total screw-up when I went through after Thanksgiving. Several, I mean several, sections were single-lane only because of construction. What dummy decided to do that over the holiday travelling season I'll never know. I did take small comfort seeing a news chopper above me, knowing that a lot of people not stuck in the jam would see us, and hoping that some of them would give a rip.
But, that road has been the exception in my experience, toll roads are generally better. My theory is that private companies go out of business when the results are crap, as opposed to any government anywhere where more money is given if the results are crap. I know the idea is that you need more money to fix it, but shoot, does that ever happen?
But, that road has been the exception in my experience, toll roads are generally better. My theory is that private companies go out of business when the results are crap, as opposed to any government anywhere where more money is given if the results are crap. I know the idea is that you need more money to fix it, but shoot, does that ever happen?
judasmachine
Diamond Member
- Sep 15, 2002
- 8,515
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depends on who bought them, and they'd have to be regulated heavily to keep the roads passable, and such.
I don't know about yourselves, but I'd pay really good money for a high-quaity road that had higher speed limits. American Autobahn anyone?
Ah yes, I guess the local PDs are going to just give up that ticket writing revenue...don't think so!
sandorski
No Lifer
- Oct 10, 1999
- 70,778
- 6,338
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British Columbia Privatized Road Maintenance some years ago(don't recall when) and overall it has worked fairly well. On occassion though one of the Contractors gets caught doing things a little too cheaply. The main concern is Snow removal in Winter, but there are also regular Repairs/Maintenance concerns. Though this isn't outright "Privatized Roadways" due to the fact that "competitionn" would be near impossible, similar issues would likely also be true in that situation.
A big concern would have to be that the Roadways are essential, our Economy and Society is built on the mass rapid movement of Goods and Roadways are a major part of that. If a Private concern neglects or cheezes out on their responsibilities it can be very costly to a large amount of people who have little recourse.
It will likely always be best for Major Infrastructure such as Roadways to be Publicly Built and Owned, but with proper oversight I think contracting Maintenance out to Private Businesses can work well.
A big concern would have to be that the Roadways are essential, our Economy and Society is built on the mass rapid movement of Goods and Roadways are a major part of that. If a Private concern neglects or cheezes out on their responsibilities it can be very costly to a large amount of people who have little recourse.
It will likely always be best for Major Infrastructure such as Roadways to be Publicly Built and Owned, but with proper oversight I think contracting Maintenance out to Private Businesses can work well.
The roads are fine in LA, compared to most cities.
I dont think a private company will maintain better roads, becuase there is little incentive to do so. But the question should be, could they do it cheaper? Which I think they could.
Orange County does have some private toll roads, which are fabulous. They jack up the toll during rush hour which I think is a great idea-something I dont a gov't toll would ever do.
I dont think a private company will maintain better roads, becuase there is little incentive to do so. But the question should be, could they do it cheaper? Which I think they could.
Orange County does have some private toll roads, which are fabulous. They jack up the toll during rush hour which I think is a great idea-something I dont a gov't toll would ever do.
No.
And if they ever suggest putting a toll to fix it don't let them. We have a toll road in Georgia owned by the state. Voted in and accepted under the idea that once it was paid for that the tolls would be reduced or eliminated. Also that no money collected would be spent outside of the road.
Well of course TV channels exposed the fact that the state and local authorities were using the money elsewhere. So now we have "related issues to the road" that are being funded that have nothing to do with the road except some politician says they do. Once the government starts taking money they don't want it to stop.
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,337
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Roads, no. Streets and roads are public because of the impossibility of competition, and because of the inherent civic need.
Highways and freeways in certain cases, yes. Major bridges without question yes. We have private bridges in my area and they work well. The Astoria bridge was so successful that it is now free of toll indefinitely. The state of WA would have been unable to afford the Tacoma Narrows expansion without private investment.
Couple of misconceptions in this thread.
Whether you pay a toll, road tax, or gas tax to fund your roads, it's all mostly the same. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, i.e. the money has to come from somewhere. You can pay at a toll booth, you can pay at the pump, or you can pay with your annual license renewal. Personally, I like paying at the pump. Partly because that favors fuel-efficient cars but mostly that's because that's the way it's done where I live. It's still a per-mile tax.
Virtually all highways and roads are originally constructed by private contractors and sub-contractors. Maintenance may or may not be done by state and local departments. The statement that all private contractors do shoddy work is ridiculous. And if the state doesn't go after them, in most cases I've seen that because the contract was poorly written (i.e. the state specified the wrong roadbed thickness, materials, etc. -- very common).
Highways and freeways in certain cases, yes. Major bridges without question yes. We have private bridges in my area and they work well. The Astoria bridge was so successful that it is now free of toll indefinitely. The state of WA would have been unable to afford the Tacoma Narrows expansion without private investment.
Couple of misconceptions in this thread.
Whether you pay a toll, road tax, or gas tax to fund your roads, it's all mostly the same. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, i.e. the money has to come from somewhere. You can pay at a toll booth, you can pay at the pump, or you can pay with your annual license renewal. Personally, I like paying at the pump. Partly because that favors fuel-efficient cars but mostly that's because that's the way it's done where I live. It's still a per-mile tax.
Virtually all highways and roads are originally constructed by private contractors and sub-contractors. Maintenance may or may not be done by state and local departments. The statement that all private contractors do shoddy work is ridiculous. And if the state doesn't go after them, in most cases I've seen that because the contract was poorly written (i.e. the state specified the wrong roadbed thickness, materials, etc. -- very common).
Fern
Elite Member
- Sep 30, 2003
- 26,907
- 174
- 106
But you'd have to have the DOT (state or federal government) monitor the condition etc to make sure it's biult & kept up to standards.
Oh wait, that's what we have now (at least for the few states I know about). The roads are built and maintained by private companies. DOT employees drive around checking on the work to make sure it was done to standards etc.
So, to a pretty large degree it is already "private". I don't think I'm in favor of removing government supervision and leaving it entirely left to various private businesses.
Fern
Sell off everything and put all the proceeds into the pockets of the current occupying Hunta.
Where have we heard that one before?
Where have we heard that one before?
There should not be a toll when the road is not useable like that.
I live at the I-44 at Vinta exit and I have never seen it two lanes.
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