Statement by IBTTA's Executive Director and CEO Patrick D. Jones on the State of the Union Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, January 20, 2015
CONTACT: Bill Cramer, Communications Director
[email protected] | 202-210-2962

WASHINGTON, DC – “In his State of the Union Address tonight, President Obama said that Republicans and Democrats must work together to make critical repairs and improvements to our long-neglected transportation infrastructure. As the economy starts back on the right track, Congress can rescue this vital part of our economic engine from further deterioration.

"The president and the 114th Congress must acknowledge that current federal resources are too limited to satisfy the states' urgent surface transportation needs. Before another bridge collapses, Congress must examine every revenue source to find sustainable ways to build, maintain, and reconstruct our nation’s bridges, tunnels and highways.

"States are more than willing to do their share to accomplish their transportation goals. IBTTA urges the president and Congress to work together to provide states with greater flexibility to meet their individual transportation funding needs—including the right to use tolling on their existing Interstate highways for the purpose of reconstruction.

"Historically, tolling has played a key role in driving the nation's economy. Tolls helped build the roads, tunnels and bridges that expanded commerce, drove our westward expansion, and pulled us out of the Great Depression. Today, states can use tolling to build a transportation system that paves the way for better jobs, better wages and a better life for America's middle-class.

"Tolling is one of the most powerful, effective and time-tested tools in the funding toolbox. IBTTA hopes that the president and Congress fulfill their promise to work together to give states the key to unlock this critical funding."

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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 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 www.ibtta.org or join us on Twitter @IBTTA or #TollRoads.