California Proposing Mileage Tax

The Left wing Democrats in Commiefornia now say that since more people are driving electric vehicles, they are getting less revenue from the state's gasoline tax to maintain the state's roads.

Their solution? Impose a mileage tax on California drivers. That's what's being proposed.

The amounts I've been seeing are four cents per mile and two cents per mile.

If a four cents per mile tax were imposed, someone driving 10,000 miles in a year would have to pay $400 that year in mileage tax. If two cents per mile, then the amount would be $200 for that year.

There are some questions on how they would tabulate everyone's mileage and privacy issues.

Some say that would "never" pass, but don't underestimate the stupidity of their elected officials and the state's voters. They've proven that time and time again.

I'm glad I moved out of that ridiculous overtaxed state.

Interstate 40 Closure

 

I just took a look outside and there are no lights from traffic on Interstate 40. The only lights are from homes in our community and those of Iyanbito Chapter of the Navajo Nation.

Interstate 40 will reopen the eastbound side shortly. 

It will be closed again tonight.

Here We Go Again, I-40 Closed

Above, stopped traffic on I-40 near Coolidge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing I went into Gallup to pick up a strongbox (that I was having re-keyed) and do some quick grocery shopping earlier this morning.

I received the following email from McKinley County:

Per the New Mexico Department of Transportation as of 11:23 a.m.

Eastbound I-40 is closed at mile marker 44 (Coolidge Interchange) while crews repair the roadway through the construction zone. NO DETOUR AVAILABLE. WATCH FOR SLOW MOVING OR STOPPED TRAFFIC. EXPECT DELAYS. This event will be updated on NMRoads.com as conditions change.

It is estimated that the Interstate will be closed for about two hours. I was stuck in stopped traffic yesterday as road crews were repairing a large pothole. It appears the pothole problem is back today.

Fortunately, I am at home and just finished running the mini-bike and Jeep for a while. Despite fixing a couple of things on the Jeep, it is still running a bit ratty (I drove it around the block). I'll have to bring it into the mechanic's when the weather is warmer during spring.

Yellowstone Road Projects To Cause Major Delays

Above, Old Faithful Geyser in eruption. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Road projects that will take place in 2022 and 2023 in Yellowstone National Park will cause "major" road delays for visitors.

The Oil City News reported:

CASPER, Wyo. — The National Park Service is investing about $155 million in improvements within Yellowstone National Park in 2022. Three major projects included in those improvements will lead to “major delays” in both 2022 and 2023, the NPS said in a press release Thursday.

“It’s important the visiting public understand the major delays that will occur in 2022 and 2023 and impacts to the South Entrance Road,” Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly said. “While we always strive to execute projects in the least impacting way, the Old Faithful to West Thumb and Lewis River Bridge projects will seriously disrupt travel entering and exiting the park’s south entrance and visitors should plan accordingly. We very much appreciate the funding received through the Great American Outdoors Act to complete these critical projects.”

Two of the three major projects that will cause major delays in both 2022 and 2023 will also lead to overnight closures of roads within Yellowstone.

To read more, go here. 

I-40 New Mexico Exit 39 Roadwork

Above, the approach to the bridge that's been reduced to one lane and temporary signal. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A major bone of contention for the community of Jamestown is the current road and bridge work at Exit 39 on Interstate 40. It has fermented a "road rage" of a different kind.

This week, temporary traffic signals have been placed at the on-ramps and off-ramps and the bridge going across the highway has been reduced to one lane.

The wait time for getting across the bridge has been nearly five minutes. That is a big irritant to the locals.

Above, the refinery and Flying J across Interstate 40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When this project was first contemplated, no public hearings took place (I've been told) for residents can voice their opinions. I find this to be very odd.

Another source of irritation is that the bridge it so be repaired, not replaced. This is even more irritating as the next exits, westbound (Iyanbito) and eastbound (Coolidge), got new bridges. Those exits have nowhere near the traffic that ours has.

Since work on the bridge and highway began, the potholes in the road on the approaches to the bridge on both sides have gotten worse.

So, I guess we're going to just tough this out.