Politics & Government
Taking the Toll Roads? Prepare for More Pocketbook Pain
Toll road users will see an increase starting July 1. More than 14,000 FasTrak users are from Laguna Niguel.
Despite a decrease in rider use due to the sluggish economy, the two boards that oversee Orange County's tollways have adopted another toll increase with this year's budget.
The increase will be 25 cents for those paying cash, and 5 percent for those using FasTrak, rounded to the nearest nickel. The FasTrak increases will range from 5 cents to 25 cents, depending on the time of day, with tolls being higher during rush hour.
Approximately 14,000 of these FasTrak users are from Laguna Niguel, says Transportation Corridor Agencies spokeswoman Susie Williams.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The ramp rate at Aliso Creek Road will be $1.60 for FasTrak and $2 for cash—an increase from $1.50 and $1.75 respectively. The ramp rate at La Paz Road will be $1.30 for FasTrak and $1.75 for cash.
The last rate increase was two years ago, in July 2009.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The rate increases aren't due to the faltering economy or revenue problems, Williams says. The agency originally planned to pay back the money borrowed in order to build the toll roads with these rate increases, and most of the budget goes to pay these debts.
The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency operates the 73 toll road. The budget for the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency, is $159.8 million for fiscal year 2012.
The breakdown for the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency budget:
- Administration $5,642,022
- Planning, environmental and construction $689,436
- Toll collection operations $7,669,707
- Debt expenses $145,838,719
As for when the toll roads will finally become free, Williams says that depends on the revenue.
"The sooner we can have them paid off, the better, but stated bond maturity dates are 2040 for Foothill/Eastern toll roads and 2042 for the 73 toll road."
On Thursday evening, the California Department of Transportation issued a full closure of the northbound SR 73 from I-5 to Greenfield Drive through Sunday at 8 a.m. for bridge repair work.
--Adam Townsend contributed to this report
