A Prichard city councilman has proposed a toll on 158 to pay for improvements on Highway 45. Councilman Lorenzo Martin is expected to make the proposal at tonight’s Prichard city council meeting. The proposed toll would be $1.00.
Highway 158 runs from Highway 43 in Saraland all the way through Prichard to Newburn Road. Most importantly, it connects Interstate 65 to Highway 45. It is this portion of the road that would likely see a toll if the proposal became a reality.
The idea is unlikely to gain much traction. The plan to toll the proposed Mobile River Bridge has met ferocious opposition. Tolls are not very popular at the moment in this part of Alabama. A recent survey showed 77% opposed to the Mobile River toll, a figure that would likely be mirrored with the proposed 158 toll.
Most would agree that Highway 45 is in need of improvements given the number of deadly accidents that occur there, but the fact that tolls are once again being discussed as a solution shows the desperate need for infrastructure funding in this country. The nation’s roads and bridges need attention. We often forget how vital they are to our daily lives.
View Comments (5)
Explain to me what on earth we pay state taxes for if the state doesn't have any money!!!! We pay it at every gas station, grocery store, retail store, when we file them at the beginning of every year!!!! If I have to pay a toll to go pay my power bill in Saraland I will just drive to another location!!!! Someone needs to learn to budget correctly!!!
Hwy 45 is a US Hwy. With all due respect, there are many things that Prichard needs worse than improvements to a piece of highway. And please tell me how you start charging a toll on a road that has been free for decades.
This guy has lost his ever loving mind.
O he lost his mind,hell no we don't need it in this part of town
He lost his mind we don't need this not ever.