Why do some states have toll bridges and others don't?

Question

Everytime I travel from MO to MI I have to pay like 63 cents. I know thats not a lot, thats not a problem just wondering why we (travlers) have to?

Answer 1

Here's the right answer;
In order to pay for the construction of the bridge bonds are sold to investors .In order to pay off those bonds a source of revenue is needed and that source is tolls.
By all rights what should happen is that once the debt incurred by the selling of the bonds has been satisfied the tolls should be removed but since the dirtiest four words in the American language are"we're gonna raise taxes " the tolls remain as a way to maintain the structure , pay the workers and possibly become part of a slush fund for some politician.
If you want to read great book about that ,read Power Broker by Robert Caro

Answer 2

Toll bridges are owned privatly and have the right to charge you for using it. The revenue is normally used for the upkeep of the bridge. However most toll bridges in the US have now been taken over by state highway departments

Toll bridges go way back in history to the time when you would pay for a ferry crossing. As boats became impractical to carry large loads, ferry operators looked for new sources of revenue. Having built a bridge, they hoped to recoup their investment by charging tolls for people, animals, vehicles and goods to cross it.

I live in a tiny village in England and the only place to cross the Thames is over a toll bridge at 20p (about 40c) in each direction, which adds up over the year i can tell you.

In some parts of the UK they have introduced toll's on bridges and some parts of the motorway to discourage people from using it and reduce traffic congestion. It may be the same in the US

Answer 3

It will cost you more then 63 cents in gas and time avoiding toll roads.

I live in WI and we don't have toll roads yet. I do travel through Chicago and other IL toll roads about 6-10 times a year. If you don't have an "I-Pass" the tolls are double. The minor setup cost has paid for itself 10 X's and it is faster using the "I-Pass".

Answer 4

Many of the toll bridges on the east coast connect two states. Since they couldn't decide which state should pay for the bridge and its upkeep, the two states created an agency that issued bonds to pay for the building of bridge. The tolls go to pay off the debt and towards the upkeep of the bridge.

Answer 5

Good answer by Mr. Danger. Once the debt is paid off for the bridge or road, the money is used for upkeep of the bridge/roadway. It seems to me that the toll roads and bridges I travel over are much better maintained and cleaner than the non-toll ones.

Answer 6

It is simple.
In some countries, they use toll bridges to try and discourage people to use them, and reduce traffic therefore reducing green house gass emitions (with the current global warming problem).
Another reason is that the people who own the bridge (or sometimes even a road) they need money to keep the condition of the road up to standard.

Some countries don't do this (like Australia) because everyone pays for them inbuilt into their taxes.

Hope this answers your question.

Answer 7

I was told it's for road repair.

Answer 8

I'm in Florida and they are everywhere.