Jeff Redondo/ Executive Director Chula Vistans for a Better Tomorrow

I don’t know about you, but I usually drive on the 125 freeway at least once a week. Living on the east side of Chula Vista for over seven years, it is a convenient way to get around when you need to go from Otay Ranch to San Miguel Ranch in a hurry. Obviously, it doesn’t come without costs.

Every time someone wants to go from Mater Dei Catholic High School to the 54 freeway, it costs $4.50. Annually, it costs more than $1,000 just to drive on a road that should be maintained by the state. In this economy with high inflation, $1,000 is a lot for a family in Chula Vista to pay just for driving on roads.

SANDAG says annual toll revenues average over $40 million, which means Chula Vista residents and businesses pay more than $30 million of the tolls and fines yearly. That means we (the residents of Chula Vista) are paying 75% of the tolls… is that right?

I know what you’re thinking… just take the 805! As anyone who has lived in Chula Vista for any amount of time knows, the traffic on the 805 is getting worse and worse. More than likely, given the State of California, there are no plans to expand the 805 anytime soon. Therefore, the fastest way to get to Downtown San Diego is the 125.

Usually, the Mayor of Chula Vista sits on SANDAG to represent the entire city, but due to politics, our mayor doesn’t sit on this important committee. Three Council members, one whose district doesn’t even include the 125 toll road and one who wasn’t even elected, sit on SANDAG. Additionally, all these Council members are from the same political party — like 95% of the rest of the SANDAG board.

Mind you, SANDAG has had issues with the 125 and the tolls. They were hit with a class-action lawsuit over their flawed toll collection system and had to settle with thousands of drivers. Again, a majority of these are residents of Chula Vista. Can we truly trust SANDAG to handle our money correctly when they can’t even collect tolls correctly?

Whoever is currently representing Chula Vista on SANDAG obviously is not representing the true interests of Chula Vista; otherwise, they would be immediately working to get rid of the tolls. When you vote, make sure you bring your $1,000 to give SANDAG unless you vote for people who are truly interested in getting rid of a hardship for the citizens of Chula Vista.