Transportation Association Releases Fact Sheet Calling on Federal Govt. to Embrace Additional Funding Options

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2013
CONTACT: Kristofer Eisenla, Luna Eisenla Media
[email protected] | 202-670-5747 (mobile)

Ahead of President Obama’s Budget Release Set for Wednesday, New Fact Sheet Advocates for Tolling as “Viable Option” for Funding

WASHINGTON – Ahead of President Obama’s budget set to be released Wednesday, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the worldwide association representing toll facility owners and operators and the businesses that serve them, today released a new fact sheet, “Tolling in Brief,” calling on the federal government to embrace additional funding options for states, including tolling.

The fact sheet is available directly from IBTTA’s website.

IBTTA’s Tolling in Brief fact sheet released today notes, “The federal gas tax alone isn’t enough to support road infrastructure, and governments need a wider mix of funding options. Tolling is one viable option.” The fact sheet continues, “The federal government can’t afford to pay for many of the transportation investments the country needs…state and local governments should have the flexibility to choose the funding tools that work best for them.”

“I could fill my office from floor to ceiling with the studies and reports over the last decade showing that the revenue raised from the federal gas tax is no longer effective on its own as an option for transportation funding in America,” said Patrick Jones, Executive Director and CEO of IBTTA. “IBTTA’s new fact sheet makes a compelling case for the federal government to explore additional funding options at the state level and tolling is certainly one of those vital, new options.”

The release of the fact sheet comes just weeks after the 2013 Report Card for American Infrastructure was released by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) giving the nation’s infrastructure an overall grade of D+, primarily due to a deficient funding system.

The release of IBTTA’s fact sheet comes on the heels of President Obama’s newly announced infrastructure plan titled, “Rebuild America Partnership,” released at the end of last month.

“If the President and Congress are seriously looking for an infrastructure plan to help pay for rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, and at the same time strengthen our economy by putting Americans to work, then tolling should be on the table. Tolling generates more than $12 billion in revenue each year to support more than 5,300 miles of road infrastructure,” concluded Jones.

In January, IBTTA launched Moving America Forward, a public awareness campaign that highlights the benefits of tolling to policy-makers, the media, and other interested parties.

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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.