Toll proposal panned for Narrows funding

Drivers are not likely to see toll lanes in Marin anytime soon.

A study looking at High Occupancy Toll, or HOT lanes, has been completed and will be reviewed by the Transportation Authority of Marin's executive committee today in San Rafael.

TAM initially undertook the study to see if the toll lanes might generate revenue and pay for the widening of the Novato Narrows.

"It will be very difficult to use these type of lanes to fund the Narrows," said Dianne Steinhauser, executive director of TAM. "It's not even clear if it would pay for itself in terms of the equipment you would need to have it operate."

The plan was backed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission -- the Bay Area's transportation planning agency -- as a way to manage traffic. But even that agency acknowledged they do not generate a lot of revenue.

-- Marin Independent Journal