Raising fees make take its toll

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- A proposal to double Newport Coast Drive’s toll fee to

$1 has some city officials fearing that the rate hike could lead to

extreme traffic congestion.

“I think there will be some riders that will elect not to use Newport

Coast Drive because of the increase in the toll,” said Councilman Dennis

O’Neil. “My main concern is through Corona del Mar, because there’s a lot

of traffic congestion.”

Orange County Transportation Corridor Agencies officials claim that this

and other toll increases are necessary to pay their investors, who came

up with nearly all of the funds to build the roads.

Business has been running at only 82% of what was expected, said

transportation corridor spokesman Mike Stockstill. And with the lack of

paying customers, officials say they have no choice but to increase the

fees.

“Nobody likes to raise prices and we anticipate there will be some people

who stop using it temporarily,” Stockstill said. “We have an obligation

to pay [our investors] and run the road like a business.”

But former mayor Evelyn Hart -- who remembers the council’s objection to

the initial 50-cent charge -- said “perhaps it’s time to straighten this

out.”

“I would have to say, it sounds like bad business practices -- an

increase of 100%,” said Hart. “Perhaps it’s time we had a really good

look at this.”

The road was originally created as a link to relieve congestion between

MacArthur Boulevard and Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. As predicted, it

was heavily used by drivers trying to avoid traffic.

However, in the early 1990s, a toll road was built, charging drivers 50

cents to hook up to Newport Coast Drive. Public outcry at the time was

fierce and the issue became a political hot potato.

“It was very, very contentious,” O’Neil recalled. “There was even

litigation over it.”

Anticipating the public outcry but claiming that it’s a “business

decision,” the Transportation Board will consider this and other

recommendations Thursday. If approved, the new toll will take effect in

July.

FYI

Proposed toll increases:

* Bonita Canyon Road: 25 cents to 50 cents

* Newport Coast Drive: 50 cents to $1

* El Toro Road: $1 to $1.50

* Aliso Creek Road: 75 cents to $1.25

* La Paz Road: 50 cents to 75 cents