As long as there are always free highway lanes to get from one place to another I would have no objection to toll lanes on the beltway. Sometimes I consider my time worth the $2 to take a shortcut up I-95 through the Fort McHenry Tunnel to get back home from certain places in Baltimore City. Other times I'm willing to deal with a leisurely drive up I-83 and/or around the Beltway.

On my ride home to or from work I'm not given the opportunity to make that choice of time versus money. If I could, I'm sure there would be many days I would pay the EZPass with a smile and a wave to the other four lanes, not to mention the savings in wear and tear on my car. Others would make a different choice on different days, no worse off than they were before an extra lane was built.

All other things being equal, I believe you should support this initiative while being careful to keep the majority of Maryland's highway lanes accessible and toll-free.

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