L.C. 10.13 - High Speed Highways Act - Vetoed - Override Failed

[S019]

So, this is an idea that I've had for a while and aims to make car travel between large cities easier, the average speed limit is around 60 mph on highways, so raising it to 90, could cut the travel time by 30 min per hour, for instance a currently 3.2 hour trip from New York City to Baltimore would become a 2.1 hour one, a 13.2 hour trip to Chicago, becomes an 8.8 hour one, while this may not be as helpful for short distances, it'd definitely facilitate long distance in travel in Lincoln and I hope other regions adopt this idea if we choose to do so.

[S019]

90 seems too fast. Four lanes in urban areas also seems dangerous.

On the first point, these are express lanes, meant for long term travel, so driving at faster speeds really shouldn't be an issue, and iirc there's a road in downtown Houston where the top speed limit is 85. I'm very confused what the second point means, more lanes should be better? Also it's not you'd be able to constantly enter and leave the express lanes. My idea is any crossovers to local lanes would be before entering major cities, and no access into or out of the express lanes while crossing through the cities.

[S019]

Friendly for now, but I want to hear the rationale behind it

[S019]

IIRC the 85 mph speed limit in Texas is the highest in the country, and outside Texas, the highest is 80. There doesn't seem to be a reason to go above 80, especially since most people speed anyway.

Would you be open to 85 as a compromise? I'm totally fine with 80 though, if it's what is needed for this to pass as it's an improvement over the status quo.

[S019]

IIRC the 85 mph speed limit in Texas is the highest in the country, and outside Texas, the highest is 80. There doesn't seem to be a reason to go above 80, especially since most people speed anyway.

Would you be open to 85 as a compromise? I'm totally fine with 80 though, if it's what is needed for this to pass as it's an improvement over the status quo.

I suppose that's fine, but my other concern is the minimum of two express lanes since some sections of the highways listed are only two lanes wide (unless the bill is counting express lanes in both directions together).

The express lanes would be in addition to lanes that are already present.

[S019]

Even if we amend this down to 80, I still won't be able to support this. Beyond the obvious safety concerns, we do not even have any funding worked out for this, and it sounds like this could be a rather expensive project. Not the sort of thing we should be looking into now, especially if we want to expand mass transit in hopes of reducing carbon emissions and making transportation more efficient.

So regarding carbon emissions, we have already passed a carbon tax, and I am open to hiking it, also I had a cap and trade proposal a while back, that I'd be willing to revive. If both of those passed, we'd definitely greatly reduce emissions.

[S019]

So, I just got the cost for this back, it'll be $18 billion, but we have a greater than $1 trillion surplus right now, so we can afford this.

[S019]

There is, by the way, not going to be a single cent of federal funding for any of this nonsense if it passes. I am not backing the further demolition of (mostly low-income) neighborhoods to build clones of Houston’s 26-lane monstrosities. Urban freeways have done enough damage to communities already.

To clarify, there would be no demolition of neighborhoods, if it needs to pass through a neighborhood, it'd be built at an elevated height (i.e. above the buildings). Also I'd expect most of the expansion to be done in rural areas, urban areas can probably mostly just have the lanes be repurposed.

[S019]

Anyways an amendment to clarify this

An amendment:

High Speed Highways Act

An act to facilitate travel between population centers


1. For the purposes of this act, a High Speed Highway (HSH) shall be defined as any highway that has one or more lanes permitted to drive at speeds up to 980 miles per hour

2. Express lanes shall be built on the following highways to convert them to High Speed Highways

a. Interstate 95 from Foxborough, MA to Andalusia, PA

b. Interstate 80 from Elmwood Park, NJ to Gary, IN

c. Interstate 71 from Montgomery, OH to Strongsville, OH

d. Interstate 76 from King of Prussia, PA to Harmar Township, PA

3. All of the above highways shall have at least two one lanes of express lanes at HSH standards, but may have as many as four in more urban areas.

4. Local authorities may at any point choose to lower the speed limit, if it is required for safety reasons

5. Cost for this project shall be determined at a later date per estimates This project shall cost $18,468,000,000

6. Funding methods for this project shall be determined at a later date

7. In areas with a population density above 2,000 people per square mile, no new lanes shall be built, instead at least one lane in each direction shall be converted to a HSH lanes

7. 8. This act will begin to be implemented two years after passage by the Council

[/quote]

[S019]

How do you define an area with a population density of over 2000 people per square mile?

Municipality density is the easiest way to do so, though I'm sure there are others.

[S019]

I'm retiring the idea of building new lanes completely

High Speed Highways Act

An act to facilitate travel between population centers


1. For the purposes of this act, a High Speed Highway (HSH) shall be defined as any highway that has one or more lanes permitted to drive at speeds up to 980 miles per hour

2. Express lanes shall be built on the following highways to convert them to High Speed Highways

a. Interstate 95 from Foxborough, MA to Andalusia, PA

b. Interstate 80 from Elmwood Park, NJ to Gary, IN

c. Interstate 71 from Montgomery, OH to Strongsville, OH

d. Interstate 76 from King of Prussia, PA to Harmar Township, PA

3. All of the above highways shall have at least two one lanes of express lanes at HSH standards, but may have as many as four in more urban areas.

4. Local authorities may at any point choose to lower the speed limit, if it is required for safety reasons

5. Cost for this project shall be determined at a later date per estimates This project shall cost $18,468,000,000

6. Funding methods for this project shall be determined at a later date

7. In areas with a population density above 2,000 people per square mile, no new lanes shall be built, instead at least one lane in each direction shall be converted to a HSH lanes using the following formula:

A. If there are two or three  lanes in each direction, one lane shall be converted to HSH standards

B. If there are four or five lanes in each direction, two lanes shall be converted to HSH standards

C. If there are six or more lanes in each direction, three lanes shall be converted to HSH standards

7. 8. This act will begin to be implemented two years after passage by the Council

[S019]

Having one lane driving driving 20mph faster than the others right next to it is not remotely safe. Just upgrade the entire highway to a higher speed limit.

The lane would be cutoff with a barrier, they'd be express lanes separated from the local ones.




https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/05/21/do_high_occupancy_toll_lanes_really_help_congestion.html

For instance, these ones in NoVA use these little stick like things to separate them and some use actual barriers like these ones in New Jersey:



(Left is express, right is local)

https://www.aaroads.com/guides/i-078-east-newark-nj/

[S019]

Any objection to the amendment?

For the record, if the Council would prefer just doing a higher speed limit for all lanes, I'm not opposed to that.

This is quite dangerous especially in urban areas, which is why I have not entertained the idea.

[S019]

Where are we on this?

[S019]

Honestly I think my idea is the best way to do this, I'll have an amendment clarifying that dividers are out between the lanes, sometime soon.

[S019]

Ummm I have an issue with this, you would need more express lanes in cities due to the high traffic and less in the country, not formally objecting, but I want to bring this to the sponsor's attention. To use an example, whenever I go down to Virginia or South, the worst traffic is always in Baltimore or DC, and the least traffic is on the rural parts of the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey after the main Philly exits pass and before the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

[S019]

Ummm I have an issue with this, you would need more express lanes in cities due to the high traffic and less in the country, not formally objecting, but I want to bring this to the sponsor's attention. To use an example, whenever I go down to Virginia or South, the worst traffic is always in Baltimore or DC, and the least traffic is on the rural parts of the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey after the main Philly exits pass and before the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Okay, fair enough. Editing - complete.

One last thing, we should clarify that there will be no demolition of existing buildings, and that there must be at least one non HSH lane in counties with pop density under 399 and two in counties with pop density over 400. One last thing, do we want to pay for some of this with tolls so we can use our surplus for other purposes? Tolling is pretty easy since every state in Lincoln other than Vermont uses E-ZPass, and we can just make Vermont's sections free, if we choose to toll.

[S019]

Me and the Speaker have been discussing a toll proposal to pay for part of this, the estimated revenue for the proposal is $2,849,348,571.43, full details will be revealed in an amendment tonight. (by tonight I mean Sunday night)

[S019]

More lanes does nothing to solve traffic and everything to make it worse; and as discussed previously, there are also safety concerns with express lanes in urban areas. Quite frankly I see no reason to have any of these “high speed” lanes in urban areas at all.

I mean if they're separated from local lanes with a barrier, it shouldn't be an issue?

[S019]

For the reference of the Council, the tolls would only be on 95, 76, 80, and 71, unless I can find someone who can score tolls for sections of roads based on population density. Also before anyone asks I have checked with others and this proposal would not violate regional statute, as these are regional tolls collected by Lincoln's government, not ones collected by state and local governments. Also to clarify these are proper express lanes I will be adding a list of locations of crossover to local lanes or exits off the highway.

[S019]

Amendment:

High Speed Highways Act

An act to facilitate travel between population centers


1. For the purposes of this act, a High Speed Highway (HSH) shall be defined as any highway that has one or more lanes permitted to drive at speeds up to 80 miles per hour

2. Express lanes shall be built on the following highways to convert them to High Speed Highways

a. Interstate 95 from Foxborough, MA to Andalusia, PA

b. Interstate 80 from Elmwood Park, NJ to Gary, IN

c. Interstate 71 from Montgomery, OH to Strongsville, OH

d. Interstate 76 from King of Prussia, PA to Harmar Township, PA

e. Any other interstate, or section thereof, in a County with an average population density of less than 200 people.

3. All of the above highways shall have at least one express lane at HSH standards

4. Local authorities may at any point choose to lower the speed limit, if it is required for safety reasons

5. This project shall cost $28,468,000,000

6. Funding shall be via existing unobligated government funds.

7.If at all possible, existing lanes shall be converted to HSH standards. However, if absolutely necessary, new lanes may be built such that existing buildings will not be demolished. Construction/Conversion shall be according to the following formula:

A. In Counties with an average population density of 400 people or more, three HSH lanes shall exist. At least two non-HSH lanes shall also exist.

B. In Counties with an average population density of 201-399 people, two HSH lanes shall exist. At least one non-HSH lane shall also exist.

C. In Counties with an average population density of 200 people or less, one HSH lane shall exist. At least one non-HSH lane shall also exist.

8. Tolling

A. Tolls shall be collected on HSH lanes built on the roads referenced in sections a. through d.

B. The method of tolling shall be by open road tolling. Electronic toll collection sensors, also known as gantries shall be installed at locations mentioned in section E on the aforementioned highways.

C. The method of payment for the tolls shall be via the E-ZPass transponder or toll by plate. Rates shall be the same regardless of payment method

D. Tolled HSH Lanes will be labeled and marketed as "E-ZPass High Speed Express (EHSE)"

E. Toll gantries shall be installed slightly before the following locations, and in both directions, unless otherwise specified, these shall also be the only locations where one may leave the EHSE lanes either to exit the highway entirely or crossover to the local lanes:

i. On Interstate 95
Southern Terminus of Tolling is in Pennsylvania
a. Exit 35 on I-95 in Pennsylvania (Andalusia/Philadelphia) (northbound gantry only, southern terminus of tolling)
b. Exit 40 on I-276/Pennsylvania Turnpike (Harrisburg/New Jersey)
Entering New Jersey
c. Exit 6 on I-95/NJ Turnpike in New Jersey (Delaware/New York City)
d. Exit 7A on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-195, Trenton/Shore Points)
e. Exit 10 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-287/NJ-440, Perth Amboy/Outerbridge Crossing, Metuchen)
f. Exit 11 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (Garden State Parkway
g. Exit 13 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-278, Goethals Bridge)
h. Exit 14 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-78, Clinton, Holland Tunnel/New York)
i. Exit 16E on I-95/NJ Turnpike (NJ-495, Lincoln Tunnel/New York)
j. Exit 69 on I-80 (NJ Turnpike, Trenton)
Entering New York
k. Exit 1C-D on I-95 in New York (I-87/New York Thruway, Albany, Triborough Bridge/Queens)
l. Exit 6A on I-95 (I-678 South, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge/Queens)
m. Exit 6B on I-95 (I-295, Throgs Neck Bridge/Queens)
n. Exit 9 on I-95 (Hutchinson River Parkway North)
Entering Connecticut
o. Exit 48 on I-95 in Connecticut (I-91 North, Hartford)
p. Exit 76 on I-95 (I-395 North, Norwich)
Entering Rhode Island
q. Exit 11 on I-95 in Rhode Island (I-295 North, Woonsocket)
r. Exit 19 on I-95 (I-195, Cape Cod)
Entering Massachusetts
s. Exit 4 on I-95 in Massachusetts (I-295 South, Warwick/Woonsocket)
t. Exit 6A-B on I-95 (I-495, Worcester/Cape Cod)
u. Exit 8 on I-95 (Foxborough/Boston) (southbound gantry only, northern terminus of tolling)
Northern Terminus of Tolling is in Massachusetts

(insert exits for other three highways here

F. Tolls shall be collected at a rate of $0.30 per mile for 2 axle vehicles, rates shall be higher for vehicles with more axles.

G. This tolling proposal will raise approximately $2,849,348,571.43

8. This act will begin to be implemented two years after passage by the Council

So these are the tolling proposal details and an outline of how implementation could work, I didn't do all four highways, since at a first glance, this seems like too many exits to me. So we should probably work out how exactly we want to choose the locations where people can enter and leave the express lanes. 21 exits for 282 miles isn't awful, that's an exit for every 13 miles which seems reasonable, but maybe we want to reduce the number, I'm not sure, but this is the outline for the tolling proposal, and other than working out the exit amounts, I think everything else is fine.

[S019]

So, here are some proposed gantry locations, with closeups of major cities (this is all only for I-95)

The expected cost of installation is around $19,000,000 (this was difficult to figure out since most cost estimates for these types of projects include extra work like making new lanes or if it's already a toll road and they're changing methods, removing booths, obviously we're not removing booths, and our new lane estimate is already included, so I was looking for the cost of solely installing).

Anyways:

Overview:



Philadelphia:



New York:



Rhode Island/Massachusetts:



The cost of operation is around $52,333,333.33 per estimates of a similar project planned in the state of Connecticut

For reference, the total expected revenue for the express lanes on 95 alone is $520 million.

[S019]

Also an amendment, since I am stupid and can't use Google maps properly, the Bronx-Whitestone and Throgs Neck bridges use the same exits, so....:


Amendment:

High Speed Highways Act

An act to facilitate travel between population centers


1. For the purposes of this act, a High Speed Highway (HSH) shall be defined as any highway that has one or more lanes permitted to drive at speeds up to 80 miles per hour

2. Express lanes shall be built on the following highways to convert them to High Speed Highways

a. Interstate 95 from Foxborough, MA to Andalusia, PA

b. Interstate 80 from Elmwood Park, NJ to Gary, IN

c. Interstate 71 from Montgomery, OH to Strongsville, OH

d. Interstate 76 from King of Prussia, PA to Harmar Township, PA

e. Any other interstate, or section thereof, in a County with an average population density of less than 200 people.

3. All of the above highways shall have at least one express lane at HSH standards

4. Local authorities may at any point choose to lower the speed limit, if it is required for safety reasons

5. This project shall cost $28,468,000,000

6. Funding shall be via existing unobligated government funds.

7.If at all possible, existing lanes shall be converted to HSH standards. However, if absolutely necessary, new lanes may be built such that existing buildings will not be demolished. Construction/Conversion shall be according to the following formula:

A. In Counties with an average population density of 400 people or more, three HSH lanes shall exist. At least two non-HSH lanes shall also exist.

B. In Counties with an average population density of 201-399 people, two HSH lanes shall exist. At least one non-HSH lane shall also exist.

C. In Counties with an average population density of 200 people or less, one HSH lane shall exist. At least one non-HSH lane shall also exist.

8. Tolling

A. Tolls shall be collected on HSH lanes built on the roads referenced in sections a. through d.

B. The method of tolling shall be by open road tolling. Electronic toll collection sensors, also known as gantries shall be installed at locations mentioned in section E on the aforementioned highways.

C. The method of payment for the tolls shall be via the E-ZPass transponder or toll by plate. Rates shall be the same regardless of payment method

D. Tolled HSH Lanes will be labeled and marketed as "E-ZPass High Speed Express (EHSE)"

E. Toll gantries shall be installed slightly before the following locations, and in both directions, unless otherwise specified, these shall also be the only locations where one may leave the EHSE lanes either to exit the highway entirely or crossover to the local lanes:

i. On Interstate 95
Southern Terminus of Tolling is in Pennsylvania
a. Exit 35 on I-95 in Pennsylvania (Andalusia/Philadelphia) (northbound gantry only, southern terminus of tolling)
b. Exit 40 on I-276/Pennsylvania Turnpike (Harrisburg/New Jersey)
Entering New Jersey
c. Exit 6 on I-95/NJ Turnpike in New Jersey (Delaware/New York City)
d. Exit 7A on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-195, Trenton/Shore Points)
e. Exit 10 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-287/NJ-440, Perth Amboy/Outerbridge Crossing, Metuchen)
f. Exit 11 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (Garden State Parkway
g. Exit 13 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-278, Goethals Bridge)
h. Exit 14 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-78, Clinton, Holland Tunnel/New York)
i. Exit 16E on I-95/NJ Turnpike (NJ-495, Lincoln Tunnel/New York)
j. Exit 69 on I-80 (NJ Turnpike, Trenton)
Entering New York
k. Exit 1C-D on I-95 in New York (I-87/New York Thruway, Albany, Triborough Bridge/Queens)
l. Exit 6A-B on I-95 (I-678 South, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge/Queens, I-295, Throgs Neck Bridge/Queens)
m. Exit 6B on I-95 (I-295, Throgs Neck Bridge/Queens)
n. m/ Exit 9 on I-95 (Hutchinson River Parkway North)
Entering Connecticut
o. n. Exit 48 on I-95 in Connecticut (I-91 North, Hartford)
p. o. Exit 76 on I-95 (I-395 North, Norwich)
Entering Rhode Island
q. p. Exit 11 on I-95 in Rhode Island (I-295 North, Woonsocket)
r. q. Exit 19 on I-95 (I-195, Cape Cod)
Entering Massachusetts
s. r. Exit 4 on I-95 in Massachusetts (I-295 South, Warwick/Woonsocket)
t. s. Exit 6A-B on I-95 (I-495, Worcester/Cape Cod)
u. t. Exit 8 on I-95 (Foxborough/Boston) (southbound gantry only, northern terminus of tolling)
Northern Terminus of Tolling is in Massachusetts

(insert exits for other three highways here)

F. Tolls shall be collected at a rate of $0.30 per mile for 2 axle vehicles, rates shall be higher for vehicles with more axles.

G. This tolling proposal will raise approximately $2,849,348,571.43

8. This act will begin to be implemented two years after passage by the Council

So these are the tolling proposal details and an outline of how implementation could work, I didn't do all four highways, since at a first glance, this seems like too many exits to me. So we should probably work out how exactly we want to choose the locations where people can enter and leave the express lanes. 21 exits for 282 miles isn't awful, that's an exit for every 13 miles which seems reasonable, but maybe we want to reduce the number, I'm not sure, but this is the outline for the tolling proposal, and other than working out the exit amounts, I think everything else is fine.

[S019]

Objection, I frankly don't see the point of installing tolls if the profit is going to be so low, and also I share the President's concerns about demolishing buildings, and we need to prevent that at all costs.

[S019]

Amendment for I-80 gantries (I will map these out also when I get time)

8. Tolling

i. On Interstate 95
Southern Terminus of Tolling is in Pennsylvania
a. Exit 35 on I-95 in Pennsylvania (Andalusia/Philadelphia) (northbound gantry only, southern terminus of tolling)
b. Exit 40 on I-276/Pennsylvania Turnpike (Harrisburg/New Jersey)
Entering New Jersey
c. Exit 6 on I-95/NJ Turnpike in New Jersey (Delaware/New York City)
d. Exit 7A on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-195, Trenton/Shore Points)
e. Exit 10 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-287/NJ-440, Perth Amboy/Outerbridge Crossing, Metuchen)
f. Exit 11 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (Garden State Parkway
g. Exit 13 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-278, Goethals Bridge)
h. Exit 14 on I-95/NJ Turnpike (I-78, Clinton, Holland Tunnel/New York)
i. Exit 16E on I-95/NJ Turnpike (NJ-495, Lincoln Tunnel/New York)
j. Exit 69 on I-80 (NJ Turnpike, Trenton)
Entering New York
k. Exit 1C-D on I-95 in New York (I-87/New York Thruway, Albany, Triborough Bridge/Queens)
l. Exit 6A on I-95 (I-678 South, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge/Queens)
m. Exit 6B on I-95 (I-295, Throgs Neck Bridge/Queens)
n. Exit 9 on I-95 (Hutchinson River Parkway North)
Entering Connecticut
o. Exit 48 on I-95 in Connecticut (I-91 North, Hartford)
p. Exit 76 on I-95 (I-395 North, Norwich)
Entering Rhode Island
q. Exit 11 on I-95 in Rhode Island (I-295 North, Woonsocket)
r. Exit 19 on I-95 (I-195, Cape Cod)
Entering Massachusetts
s. Exit 4 on I-95 in Massachusetts (I-295 South, Warwick/Woonsocket)
t. Exit 6A-B on I-95 (I-495, Worcester/Cape Cod)
u. Exit 8 on I-95 (Foxborough/Boston) (southbound gantry only, northern terminus of tolling)
Northern Terminus of Tolling is in Massachusetts

ii. on Interstate 80:


Eastern Terminus of Tolling is in New Jersey
a. Exit 62 on I-80 in New Jersey (Garden State Parkway, Newark/Paterson, westbound gantry only, eastern terminus of tolling)
b. Exit 53 on I-80 (US 46, Delaware Water Gap/New York City, NJ-23, Butler)
c. Exit 47 A-B on I-80 (I-280, Newark, US-46,  Delaware Water Gap/New York City)
d. Exit 43 on I-80 (I-287, Mahwah/Morristown)
Entering Pennsylvania
e. Exit 293 on I-80 in Pennsylvania (I-380, Scranton)
f. Exit 277 on I-80 (I-476/Pennsylvania Turnpike, Allentown/Wilkes Barre)
g. Exit 260A-B on I-80 (I-81, Scranton/Harrisburg)
h. Exit 212 A-B on I-80 (I-180, Willamsport)
i. Exit 161 on I-80 (I-99, Bellefonte/Altoona)
j. Exit 19A-B on I-80 (I-79, Erie/Pittsburgh)
k. Exit 4A-B on I-80 (I-376, Pittsburgh)
Entering Ohio
l. Exit 224 on I-80 in Ohio (I-680, Youngstown)
m Exit 276 on I-76/Ohio Turnpike (I-80, Cleveland/Youngstown, I-76, Akron/Pittsburgh)
n. Exit 187 on I-80/Ohio Turnpike (I-480, Cleveland)
o. Exit 173 on I-80/Ohio Turnpike (I-77, Cleveland/Akron)
p. Exit 161 on I-80/Ohio Turnpike (I-71, Cleveland/Columbus
q. Exit 151 on I-80/Ohio Turnpike (I-480, Cleveland)
r. Exit 142 on I-80/Ohio Turnpike (I-90, Cleveland)
s. Exit 71 on I-80/I-90/Ohio Turnpike (I-280, Toledo/Detroit)
t. Exit 64 on I-80/I-90/Ohio Turnpike (I-75, Dayton/Toledo)
Entering Indiana
u. Exit 144 on I-80/I-90/Indiana Toll Road (I-69, Lansing/Angola/Fort Wayne)
v. Exit 21 on I-90/Indiana Toll Road (I-80, Des Moines, I-94, Detroit/Des Moines)
w. Exit 12 on I-80/I-94 (I-65, Gary/Indianapolis, eastbound gantry only, western terminus of tolling)
Western terminus of tolling is in Indiana

(insert exits for other three highways here)

This is now done, and I will now offer this as a formal amendment