The nightmare of tolling sections of Interstates 5 and 205 in Oregon could be avoided with an increase in the state gas tax, (“Tolls are coming to Portland-area freeways, and even tolling fans worry they’ll stack up,” Feb. 11). Electric charging stations should also have a federal and state tax charged to them to help pay for road maintenance. I question the wisdom of tolling an interstate highway, particularly when there are no other alternate routes. The river of traffic from the Canadian border through to Mexico – cars and trucks, commercial and vacation and commuter traffic – will not stop, and I-5 and I-205 is the only way for that to flow. The Legislature needs to consider the easy answer. Increase the gas tax.
Gary Jacoshenk, Portland
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