The change of government is not expected to affect the restoration of highway tolls. Especially since there are repeated statements not to withdraw the rights previously granted. In practice, it will turn out that regardless of the political decision, the Poles will still bear the costs.
Free highways. till when?
— In the long run, it is impossible to maintain a free system of highways and highways – says Andrzej Kaczmarek, President of Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska, in an interview with Wnp.pl. It is responsible for managing the toll portion of the A4 motorway.
In his opinion, in the long run, there will be no choice in Poland and it will be necessary to return to fees. Otherwise, roads would actually be the only element of infrastructure for which there were no direct fees.
See also: The A2 motorway heads east. The European Union provided funding
There is also a very important allusion in these words. Even if the toll gates do not return, the renovations and upgrades required from time to time, as well as the construction of subsequent sections, will be covered. We will all pay taxes.
How much does highway maintenance cost?
— Highway maintenance costs are enormous. (…) The value of contracts for the replacement of sidewalks and associated contracts that we concluded in this regard last year is approximately PLN 500 million.. For a section that is only 61 km long. PLN 50 million are needed annually to maintain the surface of the highway between Katowice and Krakow alone, says Andrzej Kaczmarek, quoted by Wnp.pl.
Currently, traveling by passenger car from Katowice to Krakow on the A4 motorway requires payment of PLN 32..
Stalexport analysis from 2023, when the passenger car fee was a one-time charge of PLN 15, shows that of this amount: PLN 2.7 were VAT, income tax and excise duties, PLN 3.8 were contributed to the National Road Fund, and The cost is PLN 2.3 for the ongoing maintenance of the road, and PLN 3.4 is the cost of its expansion and modernization. The company’s investors received PLN 2.8 from the PLN 15 portal fee.
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