Valley Businesses Have Their Say

Transcription

1 Valley Businesses Have Their Say The Question AVCC has been advocating for the twinning of Highway 101 from Avonport to Coldbrook for many years. Recent communications have indicated that this is much more likely to be considered by the provincial government in the near future if the new twinned highway were to be a toll road. AVCC is seeking opinions from the business community on whether we should support or oppose a toll on twinned Highway 101 through the Valley. Proponents believe a twinned Highway 101 will be safer for drivers and more efficient travel between and among communities and a toll would be a reasonable way to make this happen sooner. They also believe visitors would not be deterred from visiting the area as many other jurisdictions have tolls on the roads. Opponents believe that tolls on Highway 101 may deter visitors from coming to the Valley, and other areas of the province have not had tolls added when the highway was twinned. They also believe that the majority of tolls would be paid by local residents traveling among communities, many of whom cannot afford the additional cost. Do you believe the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce should support or oppose tolls on Highway 101 to encourage the Provincial Government to twin the section from Avonport to Coldbrook? Support 29% Oppose 63% 8% It depends Amount of toll 44% Exits collected 33% Method: All AVCC Members were invited to participate in this online poll. The topic was not identified in the invitation. n=112 members responded. Survey designed and conducted by:

2 Support We need to twin these highways and not raise our tax dollars - neither businesses nor residents can afford much more - therefore, if we are to get these highways improved asap, we will need to support it through tolls. Perhaps it will encourage a slower mode of travel on the roadways that go through our communities and business districts again, rejuvenating that traffic and business growth. Tolls are ubiquitous in the U.S. Saving lives should be everybody's business and we can all afford the cost. If we all took minimal steps to maintain our own health there would be lots of extra money to do other things that would make our lives better. Twinning cannot wait! This supports the concept of user pay. Those who gain the benefit from the improved infrastructure are the ones paying for it (or at least part of the cost). Local residents have the option of using secondary roads if they want to go to a neighboring community. The money saved by the government should be redirected to repaving or improving the secondary roads. The tolls are the best way to raise money because it is a user pay system. Those who use it, pay for it. Locals can use the old roads if cost are an issue. Many locals, who are complaining, live away from the main centers and enjoy lower taxes because of their location. So they want it both ways. I do not believe visitors would be deterred. People s time is valuable as well as their safety and vehicles are not worth sacrificing on poor roads. Support for sure that part of the highway is very dangerous! Our province does not have adequate funds in the budget for such infrastructure costs. Therefore if we want such upgrades in rural areas, we have to change our thinking and expect to pay tolls. Keep the toll low, no more than $2.00. Allow for a decreased rate for frequent users / commuters that could be purchased online, similar to a MacPass. I would think Avonport to Coldbrook would be too short. Something like Avonport to Bridgetown or Digby. I think all options need to be considered and that putting barriers in place, such as no toll roads, lets the government easily off the hook. I could see a lot of people detouring around a toll on Highway 1. It works on the Cobequid Pass because there is no easy detour. I believe toll roads are going to be part of our future and there won't be any choice. If it means safer roads and better maintenance, I say go for it. There will be a transition/whining period of course I assume that if you do not pay toll you use route?? The mechanics may be difficult. Certainly understand the concern re local individuals likely paying a disproportionate amount for the tolls but also feel that tolls are the most cost effective/fairest way for government/public to pay for them vs increasing taxes As long as the funds are shown that it is going to the highway and not general coffers.

3 Oppose You should be encouraging people to come here and not charge them. With the exception of a few months in the summer the burden would fall on the people that already live and pay taxes here. Why should that section of the 101 be tolled when the road from Truro to Bedford or Bedford to the South Shore is not? I believe it will deter people from coming to the valley. Why can't they use a jersey barrier? Who can have a stupid idea like this? We pay enough in taxes and revenue raised from Lottery Corporations should be allotted for Highway infrastructure. We do not need any more toll roads in Nova Scotia, we need to maintain the roads we have. Unnecessary- Why would locals pay for a toll here; when have you ever seen that road backed up. Tolls are ridiculous. It's maddening that with the taxes so high, we additionally have to pay to use what we as taxpayers pay for anyway. Tolls add cost to travel to the local consumer. This area is the 2nd major hub in Nova Scotia outside of Halifax. There are many areas in the province that are twinned and are toll free, that did not have the tax base or the long term economic viability. "This is where tolls could be installed and justified." Area's such as the Cobequid Pass needed the additional revenue as there were no other revenue sources generated in that specific area. The benefits derived from the twinning the 101 Hwy in this area, in land and business development would more than justify the investment. There are many competing communities for the tourism dollar, and a toll might be the different between a trip to the South Shore versus a trip to the Valley. The twinning of the highway would be safer and faster. However, I do not feel the twinning of the highway is required based on the traffic volumes and the further loss of agricultural land. The section is relatively short and in a prime tourist area. The toll in Cobequid was for a new road. Alternate route old Hwy 1 or Gaspereau would be extremely congested and is in poor repair. Section is fairly well serviced with passing lanes. What are stats on vehicle to vehicle accidents vs single vehicle accidents? Will it take less time to travel? How much savings in time/$$? Is it prompted by a safety or a time issue? Any studies or data to support opinions? Should we be a priority over Antigonish or South Shore? Should investment be made in more passing lanes past Berwick if safety is the issue? Would trucking companies (Easons - Midland) be motivated to relocate closer to the city to avoid tolls unless absolutely needed to service valley? The difficulty is the number of alternate routes available. I know for me, I would avoid the toll simply because I can. Others would too. Would there be increased traffic on county roads? Would that increase the number of collisions and pedestrian accidents on those roads? Money being poured into the Yarmouth Ferry would have gone a long way into a permanent infrastructure such as this long overdue highway. In my opinion, the highway twinning is a much lower priority than other issues, such as education, healthcare, and economic development. If one looks at the fiscal economic picture of our province, the highway would never be twinned without tolls, and travelling public safety is very important! Further, chamber should look at the New Minas Connector to the east of Ken-Wo and support this being placed back on the list of Transportation priorities. This could be a huge catalyst in improving the economic outlook of the Village as well as the Valley in general.

4 Oppose If Government cannot afford a twinned highway, the slow the traffic down. People think driving on the 101 gives them the right to go much faster than the speed limit. Use the method Alberta has, use cameras to record speed and do not issue renewals for license or anything else through Access Nova Scotia until fines paid in full. Then use an advertising campaign to advertise that this is happening. Worth a try! I would prefer than money spend on initiatives such as the Bluenose rebuild, endless health care reorganisation, subsidies to Irving Shipyard and others, etc be discontinued in favour of provision of required services such as highway maintenance and upgrades. I travel to & from work on that section 5 days a week. My understanding is that originally the tax on gas and registration of MV's was to go towards highways and roads. The majority of tolls would be collected from local people trying to pound out a living. I believe it all goes in one big pot now, but with the increased price of gas there is a respective increase in tax; there should be $'s enough for our roads. We have one of the highest personal tax rates in the country. I think the government needs to fill its obligation to provide the following services: health care / education / highways / protective services (police) / children's advocacy; other than that they should not be involved. I am a big fan of the arts and sports, however, we as taxpayers should not be supporting these passions for people. I have passions too but do not expect the government to subsidize them. The government should not be in the resort, marina or golf course business. I feel that twinning this section of Highway 101 will not create less accidents. Carelessness, distractions and speed creates accidents. I also feel that a toll will certainly be a nuisance and extra expense, especially for Valley residents who travel to Halifax area daily. I love that Kentville has less traffic and no twinned highway. It creates a slower pace for Valley residents and visitors. The hectic driving only begins after Avonport which is fine for me. Let's keep it that way. I don't see any significant change in traffic flow or quicker route which is usually associated with tolls and would see more of a bottleneck and slow down of traffic at the toll booths. The amount of traffic on our highways would probably not pay for the cost to collect the tolls. I don't even believe we should be advocating for the twinning of the 101 in the first place, much less that we should advocate to twin it and impose a toll to do so! We DON'T need more highways in Nova Scotia. In my opinion it is a waste to sink our limited resources into more roads that need to be maintained for the next 40 years. In addition, tolls do not say "welcome to our area". Maybe it makes sense for a major thoroughfare or at a provincial crossing, but not for twinning a highway running from Avonport to Coldbrook that doesn't need to be twinned in the first place. Highway traffic is about to max out and better policing would solve the p[roblem. Also the matter of electric cars paying no gasoline tax must be dealt with why not consider all options rather than just increase taxes which a toll really is. Government should spend money on growing regions like the Wolfville-Coldbrook 101 and less on shrinking regions which are getting twinned highways and not having to pay tolls. For the very reasons stated. Costly for locals and would deter tourists or visitors - especially when gas prices rise or the economy discourages travel. consider other methods that will help with the reasons for twinning - and do those instead A toll road in the valley would put unneccessary economical pressure on the region.it is insulting that the government would even suggest this. A toll is a tax. Taxes bring inefficiencies and barriers to any economy. The Chamber of Commerce (representing business interests) should oppose any tax other than a Vat tax. This tax would directly affect

5 Valley Businesses more than the "convenience" of a twined highway. A toll highway is a bad idea for many reasons. It will reduce visitors to the valley as well as limit people willing to travel towards Yarmouth, which is already struggling to attract people. Tolls are not charged equally, ie. passing thru or staying for a week are charged the same rate. they are self-defeating since they must be manned or extra finances are needed to collect the toll. It is my understanding that fuel taxes are used for road upkeep Including highways). Since divided highways are safer, there will be an overall savings to the province thru reduced hospital visits, emergency response and more productivity. This will more than compensate for the cost of twinning the highway. When traveling this section of highway, which I do often, I am content with the available passing lanes. Most drivers are showing patience to wait for them and traffic lines have not been my experience except for the odd winter storm where a nervous driver with summer tires on the car will be a nuisance. Then again, I suppose I should be slowing down too.

6 It Depends While proponents of the twinning are correct that the highway would be safer, ease of travel is already taking millions of retail dollars OUT of the Valley. Halifax is an enticing shopping destination for many Valley residents despite the shop local campaigns and the damage it inflicts on our local economy...mot choose to ignore that fact. A twinned highway possibly allows people to easily come to our area, but the exodus to the city more than offsets this. There should be an exempt card for residence of the Valley. Trucks should pay extra to offset the residence exemption. Doing away with the rail line has put pressure on all 100 series highways. The reason the Cobequid Pass toll road works so well is because it is a faster, safer, more convenient highway through a non-populated remote region which separates two major sections of the province, and almost all traffic is "through" traffic. Our geographic situation and population distribution is totally different. Tolls over short sections of the #101 will drive local traffic onto highway #1, and tolls for people travelling from Coldbrook to Windsor will drive traffic to and from the Yarmouth area to the South Shore's toll free highway #103. I'm not opposed to toll highways when they make sense, but I don't see how a toll highway in the Valley would make sense. I'll listen to proposals with an open mind. Hwy 1 does not cross the Gaspereau River, and would represent an undue financial burden for those traveling between Avonport and Wolfville I pay tolls to cross the bridges in NS - if we do not have the will/ability to fund road construction through current taxes, then we must find another way. But oh how I hate tolls - slowing down, paying them, even worse if collected by a private for profit company as the 403 in Toronto region. All the 100 Series highways should be twinned. Some highways could charge tolls if a secondary highway exists and does not go through a town for those to take that travel frequently and can afford daily tolls. Basically the road from Avonport to Coldbrook should not charge tolls as there are too many small towns to travel through causing even more congestion and accidents in these towns. A toll highway may create heavier traffic on the old Hwy #1; this could be bad or good...it could mean more people driving by local businesses and create more shopping opportunities. Or it could mean much heavier and more dangerous traffic problems on the local highways. My main concern would be people trying to avoid the toll and using our secondary roads making them busier than they already are. There would also have to be consideration given to commuters - create lower cost passes for frequent users. I would support paying a toll (even though I use the 101 every day) as long as it was only in place long enough to cover the cost of the twinning and not in place permanently.