STOP: Pay Toll

"I don't think you can take existing roads and turn them into toll roads,” was Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden’s reaction to a proposal that would make I-10 and I-12 pay highways.


And though it was her administration that explored the possibility of putting tolls on south Louisiana interstates, the governor has made it clear that it will not happen.


“No, we're not going to toll I-10 or I-12,” says Governor Blanco. “That's probably not a good idea. And it's not something that can happen in this climate.”

There are arguments on both sides of the issue: it would slow down interstate traffic; it would be an incredible source of revenue for the state; it would discourage traffic using the interstates -- particularly companies coming into the state for rebuilding purposes; and it would be an incredible source of revenue for the state.

I know, I used that last reason twice, but the money the program would generate would be considerable -- after all, I-10 is considered the "corridor of the south". The money could be held in reserve, used for road construction and repair, or implemented anywhere the legislature sees fit.

So what do you think? Would a toll system on Louisiana’s interstates do more harm or good?

Summertime Gas Prices

Crude oil prices eased a bit Tuesday -- down 67 cents per barell. But AAA is reporting the average gallon of gas in the United States now stands at $3.04 a gallon.

It’s not quite that bad, but how are local gas prices measuring up against the national average? We know you can do better -- and worse -- than $3.04 in the Baton Rouge area. Here’s one gas station we found in Sorrento:

Where is the most expensive gas you've found? How about the cheapest? Be sure to tell us the amount per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline and the location of the service station.