The Dynamic Dozen: 12 States Looking to Tolling as a Solution

With state and local governments bearing the brunt of the highway infrastructure funding crisis, IBTTA has been tracking a surge in interest in tolling in jurisdictions across the country. Now, the Council of State Governments is out with a list of 12 states that are “taking steps this year to consider tolling as they seek to generate revenues for transportation, relieve congestion, and perhaps qualify for federal transportation funding, which could be more difficult to come by in the future.”

In a recent blog post, the Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Policy Director, Sean Sloan, lists Connecticut, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin as states that are considering new legislation, conducting studies, or in one case, looking at next steps to get a congestion pricing plan off the ground.

• Connecticut is still at it, in the midst of a legislative process aimed at setting tolls along interstate highways 84, 91, and 95.

• A recent study in Iowa pointed to tolling as a viable option to fund road widening along Interstate 80.

• Louisiana declared itself willing to consider tolling of existing Interstates to fund repairs.

• A study in Minnesota, mandated by the state legislature, looked at the revenue the state could raise by converting some existing highways to toll roads.

• New York is considering next steps after the state legislature took small steps toward a congestion pricing plan for the city.

• Oregon is looking at “value pricing” as a tool to reduce congestion along Interstates 5 and 205 in Portland.

• Rhode Island has begun construction on its first two of 14 gantries to collect truck tolls under the successful Rhode Works program.

• South Carolina legislators are considering tolls for a proposed $2-billion stretch of Interstate highway to Myrtle Beach.

• In Texas, various voices are pointing to tolling as an essential part of the solution to highway congestion.

• Utah has enacted legislation that expands state authority to set tolls on any roadway.

• Virginia is evaluating or upgrading tolling systems along various roadways across the state.

• Wisconsin is considering tolls as a way to qualify for federal funds under the White House infrastructure plan.

Indeed, states are seeing the benefits of tolling. After all, 35 states have more than 6,000 miles of tolled facilities. Once again, tolling is being viewed as one proven funding option.

Get the whole story on highway funding and finance. Attend IBTTA’s Summit on Finance & Policy, July 22-24, 2018 in Portland, OR.