Tolls Help Fund Improvements to the Brent Spence Bridge Statement by International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association's Executive Director and CEO Patrick D. Jones

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, January 28, 2015
CONTACT: Bill Cramer, Communications Director
[email protected] | 202-210-2962

WASHINGTON, DC – "The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) applauds Governors Beshear (Kentucky) and Kasich (Ohio) for their bold leadership and determination to use tolls to fund a portion of the repairs to the Brent Spence Bridge, and to finance part of the construction of a new bridge.

"Tolling is one of the most effective, time-tested tools in the transportation funding toolbox. With this decision, it is clear that Kentucky and Ohio recognize the importance of using tolling to build a transportation system that paves the way for better jobs, better wages and a better life for Americans.

“As a gateway to these two states, the Brent Spence Bridge is a critical link to a growing economy. Originally built to handle 80,000 vehicles a day, the bridge now is used by more than 172,000 vehicles daily. Businesses and lawmakers in these two states understand the importance of using all the tools at their disposal to keep the Brent Spence Bridge safe and reliable, and to expand their transportation infrastructure.

"As today's announcement illustrates, states are leading the way in providing efficient solutions to satisfy their own transportation needs. IBTTA asks Congress to build on Ohio’s and Kentucky’s progress today to finance these two projects, and provide states with greater flexibility to meet their individual transportation funding needs—including the right to toll existing Interstate highways for the purpose of reconstruction. And we urge Congress to fund a long-term Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill this year.”

#   #   #

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.