The Privatization Scam: 5 Horror Stories of Gov't Outsourcing to Greedy Private Companies

[Major Nikon]

17. 2. Toll Roads

The Turner Turnpike in Oklahoma is one of the cheapest toll roads in the nation per mile (if not the cheapest). It's 88 miles long and it costs $4 to drive the full length.

The average highway MPG for passenger vehicles in the US is 21.4. So it takes 4.1 gallons for the average passenger vehicle to drive it. Federal gas taxes are 18.4 cents per gallon times 4.1 = 75.4 cents. Even if you went with the full combined state and federal gas tax in Oklahoma of 35.4 cents, it's still just $1.45.

So if the road were free it would cost you $0.75 in federal taxes to drive it (which it costs you anyway) and the Turnpike Authority charges you $4. Only a dipshit would think this is a good deal.

Keep in mind this turnpike has been in operation since 1953, so there's no initial construction costs to finance. There's very few bridges or even curves and no significant terrain to cross. It's about as cheap to maintain as a highway gets.