Governor Deval Patrick penned an op-ed piece in todays Globe, looking to further explain his initiative to do away with the Mass Pike. The piece reflects broadly on some of the obvious deficiencies of past administrations, and acknowledges the need, in the short term, to raise tolls. From today’s Globe:

A SAFE, efficient, and cost-effective transportation system is critical to building a strong Commonwealth. Getting there requires facing big challenges. Our transportation system suffers from a hodgepodge of bureaucratic oversight and a lack of sustainable financing. Previous administrations saddled the Turnpike Authority and the MBTA with nearly $5 billion in Big Dig debt; handed out jobs based on patronage, not merit; diverted capital funds to pay for salaries and benefits rather than infrastructure; and left no viable plan to pay for maintenance or commitments to expand service.

The Governor lays out a plan to deal with the balkanized transportation system we have in Massachusetts.

But it’s not enough. We cannot cut and save our way to a better system. We need fundamental change. Here is our plan:

First, we will consolidate agencies. Multiple entities run different parts of our transportation system: the Turnpike Authority operates one highway while the Highway Department operates most others; Massport operates Logan Airport, the Tobin Bridge, and much of Boston Harbor; mass transit is divided among the MBTA and Regional Transit Authorities; DCR operates parkways. Each has its own duplicative administrative overhead and strategy, personnel and pension systems, and maintenance programs. The bureaucracy should be radically simplified.

Second, we must plan and finance transportation needs on a system-wide basis. We all have a stake in the viability of a multi-modal transportation system. People should be able to move easily from car to commuter rail to subway to regional bus to water taxi. These components must be structured and paid for in a manner that recognizes that common purpose: to bring ease of movement safely and economically to Massachusetts citizens.

It will take several years to deliver on this vision. We need to take the first steps now, by eliminating the Turnpike Authority, reassigning its responsibilities, and restructuring its debt.

The Turnpike Authority once served a useful purpose, but Massachusetts no longer needs an independent authority running one toll highway. We will work with the Legislature to allow Massport to absorb the tunnels and roads that provide essential service to Logan Airport and the South Boston Seaport, including the Mass. Pike from Route 128 east to the tunnel.

Within two years, we will remove the tolls on the Pike west of Route 128 and transfer the turnpike to the Highway Department. Interestingly, tolls west of Route 128 cannot be used to pay Big Dig debt on the eastern turnpike. Therefore, border tolls at I-84 and the New York state line will help to ensure the cost of maintaining this highway.

And the Governor does talk of the need for revenues, and for now admits that toll increases will be a reality. The Governor has steadfastly refused to consider a gas tax increase to replace tolls, and the legislature appears to be set against that option in any case.

Restructuring the Big Dig debt will involve spreading the burden more equitably through a combination of tolls, Massport revenues, registry fees, and savings from eliminating the Turnpike Authority.

There is simply no way around an increase in tolls in the short run. That is an unfortunate fact. But the time has come to stop relying on tolls alone to pay Big Dig debt.

The Governor will take some heat for the toll increases, and he will get hammered on the issue of toll equity. On the need for additional revenues to pay big dig debt he is no doubt correct. And the Governor is absolutely correct in trying to get this feudal system of separate transportation authorities under control, serving the citizens through a new system that allows us to plan for our transportation future in a comprehensive way. Read the Governor’s Globe piece here.