Utahns are not too keen on a legislative proposal to allow toll roads in Utah according to a new poll.
The UtahPolicy.com survey from Dan Jones & Associates finds Utahns are cool to the idea that lawmakers are considering this session.
Originally, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, wanted to allow electronically monitored toll roads up Little Cottonwood Canyon. He admitted that SB71 was simply a way to open the door to establishing more toll roads in Utah as a way to pay for growing transportation needs. However, the bill was changed to allow electronic tolling on all roads in the state.
Only a third of Utahns (33%) say they would be open to allowing toll roads on all roads in the state. 65% said they were opposed to the idea. 4% were undecided. 41% of Utahns said they were “strongly opposed” to the idea.
The original idea of tolling to reduce congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon had more support, with 49% in favor of the idea and 43% opposed.
Niederhauser has been pushing the need for increased transportation funding, pointing out that gas taxes fall some $600 million short of what is needed for the state’s transportation budget. That imbalance is only going to get worse with more alternative fuel cars on the roads and a booming population.
Republicans really don’t like the idea of toll roads in Utah. 50% of registered Republicans disagree with the idea of a toll road in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and a whopping 73% oppose tolling on other highways in Utah, including 46% who say they are “strongly opposed.”
Conversely, Democrats and independent voters favor a toll road in Little Cottonwood Canyon but oppose expanding those toll roads statewide.
- 64% of Democrats and 54% of independent voters say they support tolling in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
- 54% of Democrats and 59% of independent voters oppose more toll roads statewide.
The Dan Jones & Associates survey was conducted February 9-16, 2018 among 609 registered Utah voters. It has a margin of error +/-4%.
