COMMENT: Laguna Autobahn
by Rick Reiff
FOLKS, I THINK I KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP THE TROUBLED BONDHOLDERS
of the 73 toll road,and reinforce OC’s trend-setting image, boost the county’s economy and have some fun at the same time. My idea will also help to get some weekend motorists to where they’re going a little faster.
Before I go on, I suggest you sit down, take a deep breath and prepare to think outside the box. Ready? Drum roll
Let’s turn the 73 into a weekend Autobahn! Remove speed limits on the south county toll road during daylight on Saturdays and Sundays.
Okay, if you’ve wiped up the spilled coffee and returned to your seat, I’ll continue.
Think about it. The 73 isn’t meeting revenue projections, to the consternation of politicians and daily newspapers. While the situation actually appears to be a problem for the Wall Street boys who invested in the road and not for local commuters or taxpayers, let’s help out where we can. What better way to boost toll-road revenue than to fill those lanes with speeding motorists during what is now the 73’s downtime? Heck, rather than discounting the toll on weekends, you could probably increase it.
An OC Autobahn would be sure to generate national and world attention. Yes, the likely initial reaction from the mainstream media would be derisive,”There go those wild, reckless Californians again.” But once the road dust settles, Orange County,home of surfers, high-speed chips, sub-prime loans, 59-cent tacos and televangelists ,would be recognized once more for its innovation.
Certainly, turning the 73 into a giant test track would enhance OC’s growing reputation as “Detroit West” for the auto industry. Car designers would queue up to take their ultimate driving machines on America’s new “open road.” And think of the boost for tourism, as the adventurous and the curious flock here. Autopia, move over.
Safety concerns? It’s not a closed-and-shut case that higher speed limits on highways increase accidents. Let’s dare to be the ones to settle the matter. And, other than for speed, normal rules of the road would apply. Enforcement should be no problem if CHP officers tackle the task with the same vigor they display on the 73 every weekday morning. Cocky teenagers and other daredevils could pose a challenge, but better to have them on a suitable highway than on their neighborhood streets.
My idea would presumably require engineering, legislation, “lawyering” and fine-tuning. Perhaps there would have to be some speed limit, say 150 mph. Maybe that limit would have to be calibrated downward as traffic rises,or maybe it wouldn’t, if instead of lowering the speed limit you raised the price of the toll to control vehicle volume. Yet more revenue
Think of the possibilities. Where there’s a will, there’s a tollway.
, Rick Reiff
