U.S.- Mexico States Looking at Charging to Cross Border

Talks are in the works to begin charging for cross-border travel between Mexico and U.S. states. The reason? To raise funds for infrastructure.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said today that charging a fee for border crossing can help to raise money for improvements to infrastructure that would reduce congestion along California's border with Mexico. This occurred after a meeting with governors from ten other border states with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff at the Border Governors Conference in L.A. Reuters:

"Everyone agrees that we need to expand the pipe ... which means that we can get more people across quicker, more efficiently," Schwarzenegger told reporters at a news conference. "And there is a lack of money right now ... maybe people pay a certain amount to come cross. Let's assume $5. Don't hold me to that but that would then pay the bonds so we can develop infrastructure."

Arnold also mentioned other options at cash grabbing such as charging to use certain lanes of traffic at the border.

"All of this has to be thought through," he said, referring to such a plan as a "public-private partnership."

Such plans will be critical to making all kinds of infrastructure improvements throughout California in the years to come, Schwarzenegger said, adding that the state would need $500 billion of investment in infrastructure in the next 20 years.

I guess it all boils down to the almighty dollar at the end of the day when all is said and done. Wonder when that will come to Canada too. Sure we pay a small toll, but does that even help to pay for the upkeep of the Peace Bridge? I wonder.