No denying needs of infrastructure

There is no dispute about the state of our infrastructure in Connecticut. Our old roads and bridges pose serious safety issues. Moreover, the state of our infrastructure deters businesses and families from moving here. We need to attract young families and businesses to grow our economy.

As Governor Lamont says, it is foolish to “kick the can down the road” and burden our children and grandchildren by borrowing all of the necessary funds. He has a better plan.

Let’s install tolls on our major roads and let out-of-state residents chip in for our infrastructure repair costs. Every other state on the Eastern Seaboard does this.

Smart tolls need not be burdensome to Connecticut residents. We have the technology to provide discounts for Connecticut E-ZPass users, commuters and other frequents users and low-income residents. We can also place tolls in a manner that will discourage drivers from exiting the highway onto local roads to avoid the tolls.

Smart tolls will also offer congestion pricing. That will discourage trucks from driving on our roads during commuting hours, improving the commute for our residents.

It seems like legislators have concerns about the specifics of the toll bill — details like placement of gantries and how the discounts will work. I understand the desire for these details, but Connecticut can’t wait. The details can be fine-tuned through the bipartisan commission that the governor’s bill would create.

Let’s approve the governor’s concept of tolls and get Connecticut moving forward. Vicki Volper

Westport