Q-Free Won Australia MLFF Tolling System Contract
The Norway-based company did not name its “major Australian toll road” client but said the contract marks the company’s largest Australian deal to date. As ITSInternational.com reported, the contract to design, develop, supply, and implement a new roadside multi-lane free-flow tolling system includes a 12-year service and maintenance provision. Q-Free will replace a non-Q-Free system with its own equipment mounted on 37 gantries. In a news release, Q-Free stated the new engagement will be its seventh major project in Australia in five years. Others include the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel for Transport for New South Wales, Sydney’s Cross City Tunnel for Transurban, and Legacy Way in Brisbane.
Emovis Will Install And Operate ORT System On Mont Blanc Tunnel Approaches
Emovis, the Abertis Mobility Services subsidiary, announced that it will develop and install an open-road tolling system under a contract awarded by Mont Blanc Motorways and Tunnel (ATMB), operator of the binational, trans-Alpine highway tunnel that connects France and Italy. ATMB also manages parts of two French access highways to the tunnel, the Autoroute Blanche (A40) and the Route Blanche (RN205).
“As part of this project, Emovis will convert 58 km [36 miles] of the A40 motorway into a free-flow tolling system. . . . The system is scheduled to be operational by spring 2027, replacing the current toll plazas. Five bidirectional toll gantries will be installed along the route between Sallanches and Annemasse.” The 10-year contract also covers Emovis maintenance and operation of the new system. Christian Barrientos, CEO of Abertis Mobility Services, commented, “We are more than a solution provider – we are a true partner, enabling ATMB’s seamless and successful transition to free-flow tolling.”
TxTag Handoff To HCTRA Was Completed
The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) is now handling all TxTag billing and customer service for TxDOT facilities in the Austin and Houston metro areas. According to Lone Star Live (Advance Media’s Texas news website), the transition of TxTag accounts in good standing to HCTRA control took place from November 15 to December 1. Transactions dated November 8 or earlier will still be billed and collected by TxDOT. The department also retains responsibility for managing previously delinquent accounts and toll collection for its facilities outside Austin and Houston.
Last month, TRN reported on the account transition plan and TxDOT’s rationale for handing off TxTag back-office operations to HCTRA. Additional information about the TxTag system transition is available at TxDOT’s TxTag website.
Over Five Million Transactions Recorded On New Triangle Expressway Segment
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) announced it recorded more than five million transactions on the Complete 540 project Phase 1 extension during the first two months following the facility’s late September opening. There were 147,000 transactions on the heaviest travel day so far. The authority stated motorists are benefitting from “significant time savings” with the surge in NC 540 (Triangle Expressway) use. NCTA executive director JJ Eden commented, “As we celebrate this milestone, we eagerly anticipate the construction of Phase 2, moving us closer to completing the outer loop around the greater Raleigh area.” (TRN inserted a link in the quote.)
These are a few of the toll industry developments TRN covered last week. If you’re not a subscriber to Daily News Briefs, click here for a free, 14-day trial. Read the news as it happens every weekday.
California Governor Pushed For Completion Of Otay Mesa Port And Toll Road Construction
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) held a press conference along the California-Mexico border on Thursday to announce plans to accelerate completion of the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry (Otay Mesa II) project. Construction of the port’s US infrastructure — including a tollway entrance that awaits completion — is behind schedule due to unresolved funding and staffing issues, but the governor asserted progress is imminent. “You’re going to start seeing the earth movers out here, you’re going to finally start seeing things take shape and things happening,” he said yesterday. The project is a joint undertaking of state agencies, including Caltrans, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), and both US and Mexico federal agencies.
Newsom’s announcement about construction and the project’s projected economic benefits was short on details. Media coverage did little to fill the information gap. The Union-Tribune article, and coverage provided by the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post focused primarily on remarks by the governor concerning border security and tariffs.
Georgia DOT Selected Plenary Infrastructure Unit For Statewide Broadband Network Project
Georgia DOT announced last week that the State Transportation Board has selected Plenary Broadband Infrastructure (PBI) as the state’s Operations, Maintenance and Commercialization (OMC) partner for a statewide broadband project. The firm will install 1,400 miles of fiber-optic cable and supporting technology along Georgia interstates. Although a portion of the broadband capacity thus created will be reserved for GDOT traffic operations, the excess capacity will become commercially available to “provide faster, more reliable broadband access for communities, households and businesses in 70 Georgia counties.” Under the state’s agreement with PBI, the company will maintain the broadband infrastructure dedicated to GDOT’s use and also operate, maintain, and commercialize the additional capacity. PBI will provide payments to Georgia DOT based on the revenue generated from commercialization. of the network.
Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry commented, “Expanding broadband access throughout Georgia is critical to bridging the digital divide, ensuring that rural and underserved communities can access essential online services for education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This expansion also brings with it the added benefit of modernizing our transportation infrastructure, enabling innovations like connected vehicles and smart traffic systems to improve safety and efficiency.” McMurry added that the PBI partnership “is an innovative approach to project delivery and financing that leverages the private sector to meet the state’s transportation and broadband infrastructure needs.”
GDOT staff made an informative presentation about the broadband project and the vendor selection process during the November 20 meeting of the transportation board’s P3 committee (see slides 53-68).
PBI is engaged in similar projects in partnership with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and North Carolina DOT.
Virginia DOT Discouraged Addition Of HOV Lanes To Elizabeth River Tunnels
The Virginian-Pilot reported, a Virginia DOT traffic modeling study has recommended against adding toll-free HOV 2+ lanes to the Elizabeth River Tunnels in Hampton Roads. The study was commissioned by the legislature, which is looking for solutions to the impact rising toll costs are having on the region’s motorists.
The VDOT analysis reportedly concluded that “significant capital investments would be needed to add capacity to the tunnel facilities and increased congestion would lead to delays in emergency responses.” Another finding is that the introduction of HOV lanes would raise operating and maintenance costs, in addition to depriving the Abertis-controlled concession company, Elizabeth River Crossings, of $450 million to $650 million in revenue compensable by the state.
Congestion Pricing Opponents Are Seeking Injunctions To Block MTA Tolling
New York Post reported, a group opposed to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) congestion pricing program filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on Monday. New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, one of the several litigants already suing to halt the program, asked a Manhattan federal court to block the January 5 implementation of tolling, “claiming that [Governor Kathy] Hochul is breaking the law by ignoring the impact the tax [sic] will have on small businesses, jobs and other socioeconomic factors.” The group also asserts that Hochul should have used the program pause she initiated in June to obtain more public input and mitigate “unnecessary impacts” on motorists.
Two other litigants — the Trucking Association of New York and the United Federation of Teachers — moved for injunctive relief last month. Judge Lewis Liman has already scheduled an injunction hearing for December 20, and he has said he will issue rulings before January 5. The teachers union also filed a motion for summary judgment this week.
MTA filed a response that “appears to address the myriad of different federal suits.” It maintains the opposition groups have failed to state a claim that would warrant the granting of injunctive relief. MTA also reiterated its argument that the pending lawsuits challenging FHWA’s environmental approval of the congestion pricing program are meritless.
Ontario Government Under Pressure To Explore 407 ETR Concession Buyback
CTV News reported, Ontario Premier Doug Ford (PC) is under increasing pressure to “tap into” the capacity of the underutilized Highway 407 ETR concession to relieve traffic congestion on the province’s non-tolled Highway 401.” He and the transportation minister have “signalled an openness” to buying back the concession that a previous conservative government awarded in 1999.
Another option under consideration by officials is making toll payments on behalf of heavy commercial trucks, an expensive proposition that, according to some advocates, would cause 12,000 to 21,000 trucks a day to divert from the 401 to the 407. The president of a provincial transportation advocacy group says covering truckers’ tolls “can be implemented quickly. It spans the entire [Toronto metro area]. It’s lower cost. It saves truckers a lot of journey time.”
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria told reporters, “We’re always in conversation with [the 407 operator] on a variety of issues and measures.” However, a concession company spokesperson told CTV, “The Ontario Government has not engaged in any discussions with us regarding a potential buyback. . . .”
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Proposed Michigan “Smart Road” Corridor Could Come With User Fees
The Detroit News reported, Michigan DOT officials on Monday presented the results of a draft environmental impact study of a proposed 39-mile “smart road” corridor on I-94 in Wayne and Washtenaw counties. The facility — it is currently undergoing a three-mile pilot evaluation — would consist of a single interstate lane in each direction dedicated for use by connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). Among other things, the study revealed the department is considering implementing corridor user fees.
“Though the draft study concluded that the CAV lane would not have significant environmental consequences, the assessment does propose a few mitigations for the projects impacts, including a low-income assistance program for discounts of any usage fees that could be put in place and notice of traffic disruption from construction.”
“MDOT anticipates the full project would use private funding, and has not provided any money so far aside from staff time by the project team. The agency awarded a contract to Washington, D.C.-based firm Cavnue for development and implementation work on a CAV corridor. Cavnue has funded all costs so far for concept design, permitting and the environmental assessment study. Cavnue would also have a role in the CAV corridor’s operations if the project moves forward, according to MDOT.” (TRN inserted a link in quoted text.)
Non-Tolled Bridge’s New Weight Limits Could Boost RiverLink Traffic
WDRB reported, on Tuesday, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) announced a reduction of vehicle weight limits on the non-tolled George Rogers Clark Memorial (Second Street) Bridge, one of downtown Louisville’s main links with southern Indiana. KYTC also changed the span’s condition rating from fair to poor.
According to KYTC’s announcement (scroll down to “TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Weight Limits Reduced . . .”), engineering inspection and analysis disclosed that deterioration of the bridge’s superstructure “has progressed to the point where weight-limit restrictions are needed to better protect the structure from damage and ensure continued traffic safety.” The agency added that the crossing remains safe for all traffic but its condition continues to worsen with age, making new precautionary measures advisable. KYTC is working on a plan involving restoration of the prior weight limits.
WLKY reported, the Clark Memorial Bridge rating changes could lead to an increase of commercial truck traffic on the tolled bridges that are part of metro Louisville’s RiverLink system. The article noted, “Vehicles exceeding the newly-posted weight limits are advised to use alternate routes, like one of two nearby toll bridge[s]: the Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridges (Interstate 65) in downtown Louisville.”
Industry People Made News
Oklahoma DOT announced that T.J. Dill, PE, will be its new chief engineer. Dill will serve alongside current chief engineer Brian Taylor “in a co-capacity” until Taylor’s retirement becomes effective next summer. Dill will move to ODOT from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA), where he was promoted to deputy director in April 2024. He also served as OTA’s chief engineer, a post he assumed in April 2023. Dill was an Oklahoma DOT engineer for several years before joining a civil engineering consulting firm in 2018. In 2020, he became OTA’s construction director.
ODOT also announced that Steven Gauthe, PE, a member of the department’s engineering staff since 2017, has been promoted to state maintenance engineer.
The Arkansas Highway Commission announced that Jared Wiley, PE, will become the director of Arkansas DOT upon the January 10, 2025, retirement of Lorie Tudor. Wiley has served as ArDOT’S chief engineer for pre-construction since April 2023. Wiley, like his predecessor, has been a department engineer over his entire professional career. He started as a student intern before being hired in December 2005.
Indiana Capital Chronicle reported, Indiana Governor-elect Mike Braun (R) has selected Matthew Ubelhor to serve as secretary of transportation and infrastructurein his administration. The position is a new one, created as part of an executive branch reorganization proposed by Braun. In a clarification of his original announcement, the governor-elect stated, “Ubelhor will not run INDOT. No one has been named for that position yet. The current commissioner is Michael J. Smith.” Ubelhor “will be responsible for maintaining the state’s transportation, infrastructure, broadband, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority,” according to Braun. Michael Smith was named INDOT commissioner by Governor Eric Holcomb (R) in early 2022.
Fitch Expects Steady Volume Growth In North American Toll Road Sector
Fitch Ratings issued its 2025 North American Transportation Infrastructure Outlook on Tuesday. According to a Fitch news release, the continent’s airports, toll roads, and ports “have settled into a new normal heading into 2025,” although “the coming year will not be without some potential disruptions, particularly for ports. Fitch’s sector outlook for all three major subsets of transportation remains neutral.”
As for toll roads, Fitch foresees a continuation of steady growth over pre-pandemic levels of traffic during the year ahead. “Telecommuting,” it observes, “has shifted traffic patterns with more dispersion across commuting hours.” If observable declines in remote work continue, the sector would benefit. “Conversely, toll hikes tied to inflation or to offset capital investments may soften the upside in volume growth.”
Poland Expanded Truck And Bus Tolling In Attempt To Boost Rail Shipping
Warsaw Business Journal reported, last month, the Polish government expanded its designation of highways on which large commercial trucks and buses must pay tolls. “The new regulation adds 1,600 km [994 miles] of toll roads, a 44% increase, aiming to generate an additional PLN 1.2 billion [USD 297.1 million] annually for road infrastructure funding.” The expansion has “drawn sharp criticism” from transport companies, which argue it creates financial hardship and will inflate costs and service prices. “Critics also highlight that rail, favored by policymakers, lacks adequate solutions for small-scale freight needs. While Poland’s toll rates are among the EU’s lowest, many in the industry view the timing and burden as poorly aligned with current challenges.”
RailFreight.com reported earlier this year that the tolling expansion is intended to increase road transport costs and thereby “create a more level playing field” for rail transport providers.