Senate gets bill to limit highway tolling

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) has introduced a bill to prohibit states, private entities and private-public partnerships from adding tolls to existing federal highways, bridges or tunnels built with federal funding. The bill does not prevent tolls on new highways.

“As we work to meet our transportation needs, we must think broadly and avoid band-aid solutions, like tolling, that will ultimately exacerbate congestion and divert traffic into residential neighborhoods and onto smaller, less safe roads,” said Sen. Hutchison.

Senate Bill S. 1115 has been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Hutchison is Ranking Memeber on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

“Highway users have paid for these highways through fuel taxes,” said ATA president & CEO Gov. Bill Graves. “Additional tolling on our National Highway System is nothing more than an ill-conceived quick fix for transportation funding shortfalls.”