Poll On Tolls: AAA Releases Results Of Transportation Funding Survey

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. — Nearly half of state motorists support adding tolls to interstates over other ways to fund transportation costs, according to a new AAA poll.

A new AAA poll shows nearly half of Connecticut motorists would favor interstate tolls over other ways to fund transportation costs.
Photo Credit: *File*

Meredith Guinness

01/25/2018 5:30 a.m.

In addition, motorists “strongly support” a constitutional amendment for a transportation lock box, according to the poll of 980 state drivers.

The survey was conducted by AAA Allied and AAA Northeast, the two clubs that serve Connecticut.

About 47 percent of respondents said they would support tolls, while another 16 percent favored increasing federal and state gas taxes.

Five percent supported charging a fee based on annual miles driven and 30 percent didn’t support any of the three options.

Another two percent didn’t believe additional funding is needed.

This November, Connecticut voters will be asked to approve or deny a constitutional amendment requiring that transportation-related fees are dedicated solely to the state’s Special Transportation Fund and not diverted to other uses.

The AAA survey found drivers overwhelmingly support the amendment referred to as the “lock box proposal” by almost 9 to 1.

“It is critical that the motoring public, those who pay hundreds of millions in motor vehicle taxes and fees, have a voice in how transportation funds are collected and protected,” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast public affairs specialist.

”AAA’s intention in conducting the survey was to help make motorists’ opinions known to lawmakers and transportation stakeholders.”

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