Michigander in Mass

"[Romney spokesperson Jon] Carlisle said that the availability of funding is not the central issue in the state's ongoing review of which of the projects are worth doing. 'The Romney administration is pro-transit,' he said. 'The financing is not in place right now but it doesn't have to be. That will happen.'"

Yeah, funding is definitely available. Menino just got $1 million from the DNC, and the governor is expecting to save $20 million by combining the Turnpike Authority and the Highway Department. The state has already gained an additional $154 million from selling some of its land in Allston.

Meanwhile, however, the governor is proposing toll relief for commuters from the west.

I agree that commuters coming into the city from the Pike and the Tobin Bridge are burdened more than those coming in from the north or south, and--even as a driver--wouldn't be offended at tolls for I-93 to even out the burden.

But there are at least two problems with tolls.

First, the money gained from tolls has to go to specific purposes: "'The money has to go back into the road they're on. It can't go toward transit or health care or education,' Carlisle said. 'That's a concrete and unbendable federal law.'"

Second, tolls on I-93 cause drivers to explore alternative routes, and will certainly cause even worse traffic on McGrath Hwy. and other major arteries.

The first problem is addressable. Philip Warburg, president of the Conservation Law Foundation, "said later that funds raised from tolls would free up funds that would otherwise be spent on the highways and that money could be redirected to transit. He also suggested that the state could use $1.5 billion in annual transportation bonds and $500 million in annual federal funding."

The second problem is a little thornier. But maybe the experience will encourage folks to try the Commuter Rail...