Valley Freeways Turn Into Toll Roads Wednesday
April 1st, 2008 @ 5:14am
by Jon Zimney/KTAR
On this April 1 comes a stunning development.
While you slept, lawmakers passed and the governor signed a historic bill requiring you to pay tolls on all Valley freeways to help balance the state's budget.
What is even more shocking is that the tolls go into effect Wednesday.
Doug Nintzel of the Arizona Department of Transportation said the state has no choice.
``While we can't put an electronic toll system into place for several months, we will be able to place toll collectors at each of the freeway on-ramps, and they can take the tolls there."
Here's how the pricing works: On the Loop 101, you'll pay $1.01. On the Loop 202, it's $2.02. On State Route 51, it's a real bargain at 51-cents.
Nintzel said exact change will be required. If you do not have it, ADOT will make you turn around. Nintzel said you'll want to allow extra time for your morning commute Wednesday, perhaps as much as three hours extra. For more information, you can call 602-200-2700.