Group pushes for more tolls

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Assn. (IBTTA), an alliance of worldwide toll operators, is calling for more tolls to fund U.S. transportation projects – particularly at the state and local level.

“Roads have become a lower priority than they should be,” said Patrick Jones, executive director of IBTTA. “The time has come for all levels of government to acknowledge they don't have the resources they need to build, maintain, and upgrade America's roads.”

Citing deteriorating roads and a lack of funding to pay for needed improvements as two of the biggest challenges facing state and local government officials, IBTTA and its partners believe every state and local government should include tolling as an option for every road project considered “from this day forward,” said Jones.

The groups said it wants state and local authorities to consider three guidelines:

1. include tolling as an option whenever they consider building a new road or upgrading an existing road
2. include tolling as an option when they consider road projects that may be several years off to determine whether tolling would allow them to accelerate those projects
3. if they determine that tolling is not appropriate, provide a public explanation as to why that is the case.