IBTTA Statement on Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation Reauthorization Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 24, 2015
CONTACT: Bill Cramer, IBTTA Communications Director
[email protected] | 202-210-2962

13 Organizations Sign Letter Supporting Section 1021 Tolling Provisions

WASHINGTON, DC – The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the worldwide association representing toll facility owners and operators and businesses that serve them, released the following statement on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee’s introduction of its surface transportation reauthorization legislation titled the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act. 

“We applaud Chairman Inhofe, Ranking Member Boxer, Senators Vitter and Carper, and all the members of the Committee for introducing a bipartisan, six-year surface transportation reauthorization bill to strengthen our nation’s vital transportation infrastructure,” said Patrick D. Jones, Executive Director and CEO of IBTTA.  “We commend the committee for working on a bill that will give greater certainty to the states as they implement their surface transportation plans.”

“We particularly want to express our strong support for Section 1021 (Interstate System
Reconstruction and Rehabilitation pilot program) of the DRIVE Act being considered by the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee. This section would allow States to consider the use of tolls for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Interstate System in their respective states.  In addition, this section streamlines the process for approval and implementation of the pilot program – allowing states to move forward once they have met the requirements and are ready to do so.”

“With limited federal revenues available to support our nation’s infrastructure, it only makes sense to give states the ability to choose the best way to pay for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the vital Interstate System within their borders.  This flexibility, offered to a small number of states, provides a potential pathway to address the high-costs associated with Interstate System reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in some States – projects that might otherwise languish for lack of adequate funding.”

The following organizations signed a letter to the Committee leadership expressing support for the tolling provisions of Section 1021 of the DRIVE Act:

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
Associated General Contractors of America
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association
Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association
International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association
International Slurry Surfacing Association
ITS America
Mileage Based User Fee Alliance
National Asphalt Pavement Association
National Association of Surety Bond Producers
Natural Resources Defense Council
US Tolling Coalition

“We look forward to working with both Houses of Congress to forge a long-term transportation bill that promotes safety, greater mobility and productivity on the highways and provides a sustainable, predictable and long-term source of funding for the federal-aid highway program,” Jones said.

In 2013, IBTTA launched Moving America Forward, a public awareness campaign that highlights the benefits of tolling to elected officials at all levels of government, 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 for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in 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 www.ibtta.org or join us on Twitter @IBTTA or #TollRoads.