US plans to let states toll interstates to pay for reconstruction

[LuckyTheDog]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday asked Congress to end the prohibition on tolling existing interstate highways as a way of paying for their reconstruction, marking a major shift away from how the system has been funded for decades.

The proposal is part of President Barack Obama's $302 billion infrastructure bill aimed at addressing a looming shortfall in the federal Highway Trust Fund. States are currently able to toll interstates only to add lanes, but many simply don't have the funds they need to widen or rebuild the oldest sections of interstate, and nor does the federal government.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Tuesday that the federal Highway Trust Fund is set to run out of cash in August, a scenario that would hurt most states. According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, a trade group, 31 states rely on federal funds for more than half their highway and bridge improvements.

McClatchy reported two years ago that three states — Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia — were considering tolls to rebuild their oldest interstates under a federal pilot program limited to three applicants. None of the states has enacted tolling on those highways, but Tuesday's proposal would grant that option to every state.

MORE HERE: http://wonkynewsnerd.com/us-plans-let-states-toll-interstates-pay-reconstruction/

[NYC_SKP]

1. This is a terrible, terrible idea that will just increase overall cost of infrastructure.

And the cost in time and money to travelers.

We should be tearing down tollbooths, not increasing their numbers.

[woo me with science]

10. It will be used by Homeland Security, too,

as infrastructure for checkpoints as well as a big cash cow for the companies involved.

This was in the news a while back. It does not surprise me that the propaganda machine is already on it.

[fredamae]

2. This isn't gonna

work, imo----we're still suffering a Jobs Crises, Wage Inequality and High Gas Prices---add this and how many will choose to travel for "fun"?
Add in the Increased costs for Foods and other goods...
And what happened to the Tax Money we Already pay For these projects?

[MohRokTah]

3. The best part of this idea is that states will be able to charge trucks more than cars.

Trucks cause more damage to roads than cars so states have been self funding interstate commerce for decades. At least they can now recover the costs directly from the trucks by charging much higher tolls for trucks than for cars.

Other than that, I live in an area where I have a device so I can do open road tolling. It sucks if you're getting low on cash and are about to reload the device with money.

[2naSalit]

4. Well

That's already what happens in case you didn't know.

Large trucks do pay their fair share and then some. Each state extracts road use taxes based on miles traveled and fuel used along with weight assessments. Then they also pay a fuel tax by the quarter year AND additionally at the pump when they buy fuel in each state. Some states also charge a tax for fuel used while traveling in the state whether you bought it there or not. Then there are the federal taxes... ever wonder why semis have so many stickers in the shapes of states on the doors and then a license plate that has a bunch of little registration-looking stickers? And then there are the operating costs, and per axle tolls in NJ, NY, OH, IN, OK, IL... and all the other toll roads and bridges in the lower 48 in addition to the above mentioned fees and taxes. And tires also have an additional excise tax in many states.

So they already pay higher tolls on all roads, especially the Interstate and US Highway systems!! Geeze.

The corporate operations, very large fleets, get breaks on these taxes and tolls while the small fleets and owner operators often earn - after all the taxes, ins. and loan payments - what might amount to minimum wage. And that doesn't even start to account for the phone rates, occasional motels, showers and food, oil, tires and safety equipment.

The corporate loopholes amount to yet another facet of corporate welfare. That we the little people should pay additionally by way of tolls is BS... we deserve better!

Vote this year and get the red out of our Congress!!!

[FarCenter]

5. It's probably the best way to cope with increased fleet mileage

More miles per gallon means less gas tax collected for road maintenance.

[Zorra]

6. We've been totally sold out. I hope Bernie Sanders is elected President and reverses this

policy of mass privatization that has resulted from collusion among elected and corporate fascist neoliberals and neoconservatives determined to privatize our government and our nation.

[woo me with science]

8. Lock, stock, and barrel.

[Go Vols]

7. So,

no more gas tax to build roads?

:/

[woo me with science]

9. Another day, another betrayal.

Stand by for the propaganda applause.

[marions ghost]

11. And people have no alternative to cars

as far as ground transportation. We should have INTERSTATE trains --that are efficient, safe and attractive enough to get plenty of cars off the roads.