The debate over what to do with the aging Gardiner Expressway could include a discussion about road tolls if one city councillor gets his way.
Etobicoke Centre Coun. John Campbell is planning on introducing a motion during June’s debate on the future of the eastern portion of the highway that would ask staff to study the feasibility of introducing road tolls on both the Gardiner and the Don Valley Parkway as a way to pay for ongoing maintenance.
“I think the city needs to figure out ways to raise its money. I have gone through one budget process – I am a new councillor – but it is no different than when I was at the school board (as chair of the TDSB). All of these government institutions are struggling with budgets on an ongoing basis and I think you have to look at different ways to fund things,” Campbell told CP24 on Thursday. “I am very much in favour of a user-pay system because it appropriately allocates the cost to the user. It is good, sound economics and I think it makes good sense.”
There are currently two options being considered for the 2.4 kilometre eastern portion of the Gardiner Expressway between Lower Jarvis Street and Logan Avenue.
The first option would see the elevated expressway removed completely east of Jarvis Street and Lake Shore Boulevard widened to eight lanes to accommodate the displaced traffic while the second option would see the highway rerouted between Jarvis Street and the Don Valley Parkway, allowing for the development of the former Unilever site near the DVP and Lake Shore Boulevard.
The second so-called ‘hybrid’ option is expected to cost a total of $919 million compared to $461 million for the removal option.
Though some cities, most notably London, England, have used road tolls as a means to divert traffic from major arteries and encourage drivers to use alternate modes of transit, Campbell said he is only interested in the charge as a way to raise revenue for maintenance, particularly on the crumbling Gardiner.
“I don’t think that we are really in a position from a transit standpoint to discourage people from using their cars and make the fee so onerous that they go on to the transit. The transit needs to be built out for us to do that. What I am thinking is that you make the fee nominal; a dollar in a dollar out, less than a cup of coffee a day, and that will raise money," he said.
Road tolls for non-residents also being proposed
Campbell isn't the only councillor to raise the specter of road tolls in the lead up to the debate on the fate of the Gardiner.
Earlier this week, York Centre Coun. James Pasternak told reporters that the city can’t afford to rehabilitate the Gardiner without support and suggested instituting a toll for non-residents.
“The people of Ontario pay over $600 million in tolls to the 407 (highway) each year. I think chipping in a little bit, a couple bucks here and there, to make sure they have a safe and effective way home is a reasonable request,” he said.
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