- Mobile MPOs Give New Life To Once-Dead Toll Bridge Project
- OK Turnpike Completes One AET Conversion Project And Moves To The Next
- Florida's Turnpike Eyes Property Where New Apartment Complex Is Under Construction
- Support For Shailen Bhatt’s Nomination As FHWA Administrator
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Mobile MPOs Give New Life To Once-Dead Toll Bridge Project
WPMI reports, Alabama DOT’s I-10 Mobile Bridge and Bayway project took a leap forward yesterday when the boards of greater Mobile’s two MPOs voted unanimously to restore the project to their transportation improvement plans. The vote was based on a revised proposal from ALDOT on which the MPOs had recently gathered public input.
WALA reports, construction could start as early as next year on a project that was abandoned in 2019 amidst a public outcry over tolling. “Hurdles remain, but [yesterday’s] vote puts a project that’s been talked about for roughly a quarter-century closer than it’s ever been to the finish line. There are public funding commitments and a set route. By putting the project back in the Transportation Improvement Programs, ‘the project’s eligibility for federal funding remains intact,’” an ALDOT spokesman told WALA.
Alabama Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)OK Turnpike Completes One AET Conversion Project And Moves To The Next
KFOR reports, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) announced that the H.E. Bailey Turnpike’s conversion to cashless tolling was completed yesterday morning (although some August ramp closings will be necessary to remove old tolling equipment). The turnpike “is the third Oklahoma toll road to transition to all-electronic tolling after the John Kilpatrick and Kickapoo turnpikes in Oklahoma City moved to PlatePay within the past year.”
KTUL reports, at its Tuesday meeting, the OTA board approved an expenditure of $10.5 million for hardware and services needed to continue the AET conversion process. ODOT Secretary (and OTA chief executive) Tim Gatz said the next facility to go cashless will be the Chickasaw Turnpike. Its conversion is expected to be complete by the end of next month. The board approved a new rate schedule that will take effect after the transition. OTA still expects to make all of its facilities cashless by the end of 2024.
AET (All-Electronic Tolling) ETC Systems Oklahoma Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) Procurement of Tolling Equipment & ServicesFlorida's Turnpike Eyes Property Where New Apartment Complex Is Under Construction
WESH reports, an Ocoee, Florida, development consultant says the city did not learn until March or April that Florida’s Turnpike might need to take a particular parcel for an extensive Orange County widening project now undergoing PD&E study. The problem that presents is that a 410-unit apartment complex is already under construction on the site. The turnpike has indicated it may also need a second parcel where development of another apartment community is planned. The city, concerned about a potential “loss of development viability,” disputes the turnpike’s need to take additional right-of-way in the area.
Florida Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) Orange County FL Metro Area (Orlando)Support For Shailen Bhatt’s Nomination As FHWA Administrator
Transport Topics reports, “[k]ey transportation stakeholders,” including the leaders of AASHTO and IBTTA, and US Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, praised President Biden’s nominee to lead the Federal Highway Administration, citing the breadth of Shailen Bhatt’s experience. Said Senator Carper, “Bhatt’s résumé is nearly perfect for leading a transportation agency with such a critical infrastructure mission I have a long history of working with Shailen, and he is an outstanding choice.” A nomination hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Appointments-Promotions-Retirements US Department of Transportation (USDOT)These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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