- Kentucky Again Taps PFM to Consult on RiverLink Financing and Potential P3 Projects
- ERC's New CEO Focusing on Customer Service
- Brush Fires, Population Growth Spark Talk of Two New Space Coast Region Toll-Funded Highways
- Connecticut Nixes VMT/RUC Study Participation
- PA Turnpike's "Massive" Rebuilding Effort Is in the Spotlight
- Despite Snow, Falling Ice, Wind and Locusts, Mackinac Bridge Revenue Rises in March
- Congressman Rallies Locals to Push for IL Tollway's O'Hare Access Road Project
- Garden State Parkway's E-ZPass-Only Interchange Likely to Advance, despite Some Opposition
- NJ Turnpike Interchange Project Advances: Some Toll Lanes Reopen.
- VDOT Secretary Layne to Hold Press Conference on HOT Lanes Today
- The Battle over Relocation of Maine Turnpike's York Toll Plaza Continues
- RI House Minority Leader to File Bill to Repeal Truck Toll Law (Again)
- NC Lawmakers File Bill to Ban Private Firms from Operating Toll Roads (Cite I-77 Project, Again)
- Commuters to Have Express Bus Option when I-77 Toll Lanes Open
- Man Dies Helping to Extinguish Brush Fire along TCA's 241 Toll Road
- Ireland Pays Toll Road Operators $43 Million due to Low Traffic Volumes
This is a Subscribers-Only area. If you are a subscriber, please login. If not...
Become a Subscriber Today »
Kentucky Again Taps PFM to Consult on RiverLink Financing and Potential P3 Projects
WDRB reports that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has once again engaged PFM Financial Advisors, LLC, to help “determine whether the toll revenue generated by the RiverLink bridges is enough to make debt payments on the project’s bonds. If not, the consultants could be asked to advise the authority how to increase toll revenue or cut expenses.” Under the $300,000 contract, PFM will also advise officials on any unsolicited P3 proposals that may be submitted under a new state law.
Kentucky Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River BridgesERC's New CEO Focusing on Customer Service
WAVY talks with new CEO Philip Shucet about efforts “to right the ship and improve customer service” at ERC. Regarding settlement of accounts with outstanding balances, Shucet says, “It is a major effort, and the point of it is to settle up, move forward, and come to a better place where we do everything we possibly can to help our customers pay the lowest toll and keep accounts current.”
Elizabeth River TunnelsBrush Fires, Population Growth Spark Talk of Two New Space Coast Region Toll-Funded Highways
Florida Today reports that recent traffic disruptions caused by brush fires and projections of population growth have focused attention on a 2014 task force report that recommends construction of two new east-west highways in the Space Coast region. The newspaper adds that the proposed highways “remain on the drawing board” and will most likely be toll roads.
FloridaConnecticut Nixes VMT/RUC Study Participation
The Connecticut Mirror reports, “A political football in state transportation debates for the past two years — the concept of a mileage-based tax on motorists — apparently is no longer even a subject of research at the Connecticut Department of Transportation. . . . Transportation Commissioner James Redeker wrote last week in a letter to [the I-95 Corridor Coalition] that was coordinating research into this tax that his agency was halting its involvement because of budgetary issues.”
Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) RUC & VMT ProgramsPA Turnpike's "Massive" Rebuilding Effort Is in the Spotlight
PennLive.com looks at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s “never-ending” rebuilding project, reporting that, “At the turn of the century the Pennsylvania Turnpike announced a massive rebuilding program — the total reconstruction of the highway. It is, arguably, one of the biggest infrastructure programs in modern Pennsylvania history — ripping out and replacing 360 miles of heavily traveled interstate.”
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC)Despite Snow, Falling Ice, Wind and Locusts, Mackinac Bridge Revenue Rises in March
MLive.com reports, “Several high-wind warnings, two partial closures and one full closure due to falling ice, meant the [Mackinac Bridge] wasn’t as accessible as planned in March. However, those incidents didn’t impact the bottom line as the bridge brought in $1.4 million in revenue . . . , up from $1.32 million in March 2016.” Also, the month’s traffic count increased by 5,000 vehicles over the total recorded in March 2016. And, right on cue . . .
MLive.com reports that the bridge was temporarily closed yesterday due to falling ice.
Mackinac Bridge Authority of Michigan MichiganCongressman Rallies Locals to Push for IL Tollway's O'Hare Access Road Project
CBS Chicago reports, “A suburban congressman [Raja Krishnamoorthi, (D-8)] is working to rally mayors, county officials, lawmakers and others in a major push for the long-awaited Western access road to O’Hare airport.” The report adds, “Illinois Tollway Chairman Robert Schillerstrom said one roadblock is with the Canadian Pacific Railroad, whose track[s] cross the proposed path of the access road. He says CP is now resisting granting access.” [Links inserted.]
Illinois Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (IL Tollway)Garden State Parkway's E-ZPass-Only Interchange Likely to Advance, despite Some Opposition
Newspaper Media Group reports that plans for a Garden State Parkway E-ZPass-only interchange are not likely to change after a lightly-attended public meeting on the project.
New Jersey New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA)NJ Turnpike Interchange Project Advances: Some Toll Lanes Reopen.
NJ.com reports that the turnpike authority’s Interchange 14A Improvement Project is moving forward. “Several toll lanes reopened this weekend at the . . . interchange toll plaza,” the website reports.
New Jersey New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA)VDOT Secretary Layne to Hold Press Conference on HOT Lanes Today
The Virginian-Pilot reports that VDOT Secretary Aubrey Layne will hold “an educational press event about High Occupancy Toll lanes” this afternoon at the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization office in Chesapeake. (Curriculum includes I-64 HOT lanes, the history of tolling in Hampton Roads, and E-ZPass Flex, according to the report.)
Express Lanes Virginia Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)The Battle over Relocation of Maine Turnpike's York Toll Plaza Continues
Seacoastonline.com has an update on the dispute between the Maine Turnpike Authority and grassroots groups that oppose the relocation of the York toll plaza.
Maine Maine Turnpike AuthorityRI House Minority Leader to File Bill to Repeal Truck Toll Law (Again)
WPRO reports that Rhode Island House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan (R-26) is back at it again. She plans to submit a new bill to repeal the RhodeWorks truck toll law enacted in 2016.
Rhode Island Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)NC Lawmakers File Bill to Ban Private Firms from Operating Toll Roads (Cite I-77 Project, Again)
Charlotte Observer reports, “North Carolina would be prohibited from entering any more contracts like that for the Interstate 77 toll project under a bill introduced by two Mecklenburg County lawmakers. House Bill 652 would bar state transportation officials from contracting with private firms to build or operate toll roads.”
North Carolina North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)Commuters to Have Express Bus Option when I-77 Toll Lanes Open
Statesville Record & Landmark reports that Iredell County residents who commute to Charlotte “will have yet another option” when the I-77 Express Lanes open. The Iredell County Area Transportation System (ICATS) will offer an express bus route during peak periods that will connect with the Charlotte Area Transportation System. ICATS buses will have toll-free access to the express lanes.
I-77 Express Lanes (NC) North Carolina North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)Man Dies Helping to Extinguish Brush Fire along TCA's 241 Toll Road
KABC reports, “A man was killed while attempting to help put out a fire along the 241 toll road in Santiago Canyon on [April 10] after a truck” — whose occupants also stopped to help fight the fire — “backed over him, according to fire officials.”
Los Angeles (CA) Metro Region Transportation Corridor Agencies (CA)Ireland Pays Toll Road Operators $43 Million due to Low Traffic Volumes
Irish Examiner reports, “More than €40.5m [almost US$43 million] has been paid by the [Irish] State over the past seven years to the operators of two toll roads due to lower-than-expected traffic volumes.” Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is required to compensate the operating consortia of both the Limerick Tunnel and the M3 Motorway “if sufficient volumes of traffic don’t use the routes,” according to the newspaper.
Ireland