- NY Legislature Passes New Version of "Toll Payer Protection Act"
- Connecticut Governor Floats a New Tolls Proposal
- Concrete Chunk Falls Off Houston I-45 Overpass
- Express Lane Opponents Angle for Maryland County's Backing
- Fitch Affirms Rating of OK Turnpike Revenue Bonds
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NY Legislature Passes New Version of "Toll Payer Protection Act"
The Journal News reports, “The New York State Legislature has passed a law to help drivers in the state navigate its cashless tolling system, again.” In addition to creating an MTA amnesty program, changes brought about under A07587 (“The Toll Payer Protection Act”) include a prohibition on suspension of vehicle registrations to enforce toll payment, caps on non-payment penalties, and a requirement that toll bills be sent within 30 days. The article notes, Governor Cuomo has not indicated whether he will sign the bill, which contains some of the provisions he cited as reasons for vetoing a similar measure passed in 2018.
AET (All-Electronic Tolling) Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York New York City New York State Thruway Authority ScofflawsConnecticut Governor Floats a New Tolls Proposal
The Connecticut Mirror reports, “The administration of Gov. Ned Lamont re-launched its campaign for highway tolls in a private two-pronged pitch to wary legislative leaders [yesterday]. . . . Its reboot of a plan originally rolled out in February offers sweeteners to lawmakers concerned about the financial impact on constituents, primarily by lowering the income tax on the first $10,000 of taxable income from 3 percent to 2 percent, providing a savings of between $90 and $180. The plan also would offer discounts on tolls and lower fares on bus transit.”
CTNewsJunkie.com posts a copy of the slide deck administration officials presented during their two-hour, closed door meeting with legislative leaders. It outlines Connecticut’s transportation funding problems and the latest administration tolling proposals.
Connecticut Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT)Concrete Chunk Falls Off Houston I-45 Overpass
KTRK reports that a large piece of concrete fell from a Houston I-45 overpass near the North Freeway’s intersection with the Sam Houston Toll Road (Beltway 8) this morning. “Authorities have shut down the ramp from I-45 southbound to Beltway 8 North westbound and southbound feeder roads,” the station reports. There are no immediate reports of injuries, and the possibility of structural damage is under investigation. This is a developing story.
KPRC also reports.
Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Houston Metro Area Texas Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)Express Lane Opponents Angle for Maryland County's Backing
The Frederick News-Post reports on a new challenge to Maryland’s plan to add express lanes to metro DC interstates. According to the article, a grassroots group called Trains Not Tolls has posted an online petition asking the Frederick County Council “to list expanded MARC [train] service as a top priority in the county’s next transportation priorities letter to the state.” A member says the group’s ultimate goal is to persuade the county council to oppose the state’s express lanes plan and push for transit solutions to I-270 traffic congestion.
Express Lanes Maryland Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Washington (DC) Metro RegionFitch Affirms Rating of OK Turnpike Revenue Bonds
Fitch Ratings affirmed its ‘AA-‘ rating of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s approximately $1.8 billion (as of March 2019) of outstanding second senior revenue bonds. The Rating Outlook is Stable.
Fitch Ratings Investment Ratings Oklahoma Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA)