IBTTA Submits Testimony to U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Hearing on MAP-21 Reauthorization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 12, 2014
CONTACT: Kristofer Eisenla, LUNA+EISENLA media
[email protected] | 202-670-5747 (mobile)

WASHINGTON, DC – In conjunction with today’s U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing on the reauthorization of MAP-21, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the worldwide association representing toll facility owners and operators and the businesses that serve them, submitted testimony emphasizing the importance of providing, “state and local governments with as many funding options as possible to meet this nation’s growing infrastructure investment challenges.”

In IBTTA’s written testimony for this morning’s Senate EPW full Committee hearing, “MAP-21 Reauthorization: The Economic Importance of Maintaining Federal Investments in our Transportation Infrastructure”, they asked Congress to, “Relax federal constraints related to tolling of the existing Interstate System” and said it “should be a priority in any further program extensions or authorizations.”

IBTTA’s written testimony continues:

“We would suggest that the tolling option provides both a viable tool to improve infrastructure, as well as a means to help frame and advance the debate over other funding options.  If states are allowed to consider Interstate tolling, some states might advance the concept. But successfully implementing it would happen only after serious public and political debate.”

“We thank both the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for beginning the deliberate and difficult task of finding a 21^st century solution to funding our nation’s highways, bridges and tunnels,” said Patrick D. Jones, Executive Director and CEO, of IBTTA. “Every expert looking at this issue acknowledges that the old ways of funding our country’s transportation infrastructure won’t be enough. As we continue this conversation, we encourage members of Congress to look at all the options for funding transportation, including tolling, which is already used successfully in 34 states.” 

The written testimony submitted by IBTTA concludes:

“Funding today’s transportation system requires many solutions. Everything should be on the table for state and local governments to decide the optimum funding solutions. Federal transportation partners need a toolbox of funding options and the flexibility to craft those options specifically to meet local needs. IBTTA is committed to working with this committee and the entire Congress to move forward in addressing the transportation needs of this nation."

In 2013, IBTTA launched Moving America Forward, a public awareness campaign that highlights the benefits of tolling to policy-makers, the media, and other interested parties. For additional information on IBTTA’s Moving America Forward campaign, including fact-sheets, background documents and other materials, please click here.

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About IBTTA

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) is the worldwide association representing toll facility owners and operators and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in more than 20 countries on six continents. Through advocacy, thought leadership and education, members are implementing state-of-the-art, innovative user-based transportation financing solutions to address the critical infrastructure challenges of the 21st century. For more information, visit http://www.ibtta.org  or join us on Twitter @IBTTA or #TollRoads.