San Francisco Bay Area Bridge Toll Hike Is Under Review
CBS News San Francisco reported, on Wednesday the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) — a unit of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission — “unveiled a proposed series of bridge toll increases starting in 2026 that would fund construction work and asked the public to weigh in. . . . [T] he proposal would raise tolls annually through 2030 on the seven state-owned toll bridges: the Antioch, Bay, Benicia, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo.”
According to a BATA news release, the revenue from the rate hikes would be used exclusively to cover the bridge maintenance, rehabilitation, and operation expenses. “The toll increase proposal includes a tiered rate structure aimed at encouraging more customers to pay electronically with FasTrak® toll tags as this form of payment carries lower administrative costs than payment through a [prepaid] license plate account or returning payment with an invoice received by mail. Under the proposal, customers would pay a premium for using a pre-registered license plate account or for invoiced tolling.” The premium wouldn’t kick-in until 2027 to give customers time to adopt FasTrak.
BATA will concurrently consider a revision of its rate policy on high-occupancy vehicle use of the seven bridges. “BATA and MTC staff propose to establish a uniform three-person occupancy requirement for half-price tolls during weekday commute periods at all seven bridges.” The new HOV policy, the basis for which is explained in the release, would take effect at the same time as the January 2026 rate hike.
BATA will accept public comment on the proposal between November 4 and December 3, and it has scheduled an informational webinar for the evening of Wednesday, November 13. A formal hearing on the proposal will take place on Wednesday morning, November 20, in San Francisco.
A BATA fact sheet describes and provides support for the rate adjustment. It also contains information about bridge preservation requirements and projects proposed as part of the ten-year Toll Bridge Capital Improvement Plan.
Maryland Is Preparing $145 Million Procurement Of Chesapeake Bay Bridge Pier Protections
WJLA reported, “The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is currently in the planning stages of a . . . project aimed at safeguarding the 70-year-old Bay Bridge from modern ship strikes. The goal is to enhance the bridge’s resilience against vessel impacts, with a target completion date set for late 2027.”
The project’s urgency was demonstrated in August when a cargo ship had a steering problem near the span. MDTA’s concern over bridge strikes by today’s larger cargo vessels was heightened by the collision that caused its Francis Scott Key Bridge to collapse in March. The authority aims to modernize existing insufficient protective infrastructure by introducing “advanced systems used in more modern bridge designs,” such as dolphins. It is “coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, Bay Pilots, and engineers to develop bridge protection solutions that include better vessel monitoring, emergency response procedures, and innovative pier protection options as part of the planning process.”
MDTA executive director Bruce Gartner expects planning to be completed this year, followed shortly by procurement.
New Hampshire DOT Updated Public On Everett Turnpike Improvement Plan
Concord Monitor (via NHPR) reported, New Hampshire DOT held a public meeting to provide updates on the status of the long-planned project (number 13742) to expand and improve a five-mile I-93, I-89, and I-393 corridor between Concord and Bow. The project scope includes adding one lane in each direction to a five-mile segment of I-93, most of which is the Everett Turnpike.
One recent development involves the project budget, which has risen to $370 million, “almost 50% more than projections made before the pandemic.” NHDOT has programmed turnpike toll revenue and federal funds to pay for the work.
New Hampshire Considers Adding Median Barriers To I-95 Turnpike Segment
“New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials are considering installing median barriers in a part of Interstate 95 after a double fatal crash in Greenland last week,” CBS News Boston reported. The incident occurred after one driver lost control of his vehicle and struck a van traveling in the opposite direction. Both drivers were killed and one passenger sustained serious injuries. According to an NHDOT spokesperson, a 2012 study concluded that the I-95 segment — part of New Hampshire’s Blue Start Turnpike — didn’t meet requirements for installation of a median barrier. However, recent crashes have the agency reconsidering safety measures along the corridor. No specific plans are in place at this time, and no timeline for committing to safety improvements was given.
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.
New Connections Between Dolphin Expressway And Florida’s Turnpike Opened
CBS News Miami reported, “With a booming South Florida population and congestion on our roadways, there is some relief Wednesday with the opening of four new ramps between State Road 836/Dolphin Expressway and Florida Turnpike Extension.”
“The Greater Miami Expressway Agency [GMX] says the new connections will allow drivers to travel from the southbound Turnpike lanes to the westbound Dolphin Expressway lanes and from the Dolphin Expressway eastbound lanes to the Turnpike northbound lanes. There are also new ramps to the Dolphin Express at NW 121 Street, right near the Dolphin ‘park and ride’ station.”
The $42.1 million project was developed by GMX’s predecessor, the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX). Construction started in May 2022.
RITBA Transitions To New Back-Office System This Weekend
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) temporarily suspended all customer service functions from Friday through tomorrow, October 28, in order to complete its transition to a new back-office system. Transaction processing and billing functionality, transponder fulfillment, and customer service telephone and interactive voice response systems are all part of the upgrade. According to What’s Up Newp, the authority expects the system and its customer experience improvements to be operational by Tuesday. During the down time, customer service staff will be trained on the new systems, according to a RITBA news release.
Emovis, an Abertis subsidiary, received the contract to deploy the new tolling technology in 2022. The company, which has a long-term relationship with RITBA, implemented the system that is being replaced this weekend.
Kansas Turnpike Authority Opened New Customer Service Center In Lawrence
The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) stated in a news release the new facility, which provides customer assistance through phone, email, and walk-in services, will support the agency’s new cashless tolling system and “position us to assist customers in preparing for the express lanes of U.S. 69 that will open in early 2026.”
Lawrence Journal-World, whose offices happen to be next door to the KTA facility, covered Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. The article includes highlights of an interview with KTA CEO Steve Hewitt about the vision for the cashless conversion and the success of its rollout. “Our mission and vision is to have one of the most affordable roads in the country,” Hewitt said. He added that the cashless toll rate of 4.8 cents per mile for KTAG users is the lowest nationwide among all systems with strictly cashless collection.
NYC Congestion Pricing May Make A Comeback
Is New York Governor Kathy Hochul reconsidering her decision to “pause” MTA’s Manhattan congestion pricing program? NBC News New York and WABC News reported it’s a possibility.
According to NBC, the gloomy MTA financial outlook report issued last week by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has the governor refocusing on the deficit in the transportation agency’s capital program funding. Hochul told reporters on Wednesday she is getting closer to lifting her June postponement of congestion pricing. “Putting forth a plan by the end of the year, as we’ve committed. We are approaching that time frame,” Hochul said.
NBC added, “If congestion pricing does start, the governor indicated it could be at a lower toll. For example, the price could come down to $9 instead of $15 — which is within the range federal officials already approved. Hochul also said her year-end plan would address the MTA’s other financial needs with a multi-billion dollar capital budget.”
Colorado Opened Three Transit “Mobility Hubs” On I-25 Express Corridor
On Tuesday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) joined dignitaries from USDOT, CDOT, and local government to mark the opening of three new “mobility hubs” for public bus service. The facilities were made possible through the I-25 North Express Lanes Project. In a CDOT news release, Polis heralded the opening as the start of a “new era of transportation” featuring multi-modal options for residents and visitors. The hubs will make bus use more convenient, efficient and desirable, especially for commuters to downtown Denver. Their broader purposes are to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, save travelers money, and “encourage transit-oriented development.”
USDOT Made Major Grant Announcements
On Monday, USDOT announced more than $4.2 billion in grants awarded through the IIJA-supported National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) and Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) programs. Forty-four projects were selected during the latest round of funding, which opened in March. Three projects — they are located in Arizona, Chicago, and Providence, Rhode Island — received grants from both programs. “The awards will support a wide range of work to improve safety and mobility, boost economic growth, construct major bridges, expand ports, and redesign highway interchanges, among other things. USDOT posted complete lists of the Mega and INFRA awards.
Commercial Carrier Journal noted that three of the 44 discretionary grants will fund truck parking projects in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
On Thursday, FHWA announced the award of more than $96.5 million in grants under the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program. Twenty projects across 16 states will receive federal funding for technology-based and multimodal solutions to improve safety and reduce travel time through the deployment of intelligent transportation systems, including V2X and AI applications. FHWA views the selected projects as “national examples of innovation to improve transportation options for all communities.”
Grants of various sizes were awarded to state DOTs, regional and local transportation agencies, and two universities. A description of the recipient projects was included in the announcement.
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.
PayByCar Expanded Footprint Of Its E-ZPass-Enabled Fuel Payment Solution
PayByCar, Inc., the mobile payment innovator, announced Wednesday its Driven by E-ZPass℠ non-toll payment solution will be available by the end of next year at more than 300 additional retail fueling locations across New England, New York, and Virginia. The new outlets are fueling stations and convenience markets owned and operated by Global Partners, LP, a Fortune 500 company, under the brand names Alltown Fresh, Alltown®, Xtramart, Honey Farms, and Jiffy Mart.
In July, PayByCar expanded Driven by E-ZPass℠ across the 20-state E-ZPass Group network. This allowed more than 59 million transponder holders to register on the PayByCar website to pay for fuel at participating locations without touching the gas station keypad. For vehicles without a toll transponder, PayByCar offers its own non-toll sticker for easy enrollment.
France’s Alsace Region Plans New Motorway Toll System
Alsace region officials are preparing to introduce a truck toll “to reduce the number of vehicles using its motorways to avoid paying Germany’s toll,” Trans.INFO reported. The new system, dubbed “R-Pass,” is still in development, but “the fee is expected to be around 15 cents per kilometre,” which is lower than the German toll rate.
The tolled routes will cover about 200 kilometers (124.25 miles) and include the A35 and A36 motorways, as well as some secondary roads. The A35 is and has been toll-free, but since Germany raised its truck toll late last year, Alsace has seen enough traffic and air quality impacts to warrant a policy change. The toll revenue will be used to fund highway improvements, including an A35 widening project.
Ferrovial And Swiss-Based Investment Group Formed JV To Manage Several Concessions
Ferrovial announced it has agreed with Interogo Holding AG (IH) to create a joint venture vehicle — Umbrella Roads BV — to manage Ferrovial’s stakes in several international road and parking concessions. IH, a foundation-owned investment group, acted through its infrastructure investment fund, Inter Infrastructure Capital. The transaction was valued at EUR 100 million (approximately USD 108.2 million) and represented no material capital gain.
“Ferrovial will transfer the economic rights and hold the majority of the voting rights in Umbrella Roads BV through its toll road division Cintra, which will manage the operations under a service agreement. The partnership between Ferrovial and Interogo could allow for further collaboration between the parties in future.
Emovis Will Upgrade The A25 Concession AET System It Installed In 2017
Emovis, the Abertis subsidiary, announced Tuesday that it will comprehensively upgrade the all-electronic tolling system it installed on Québec’s A-25 Highway in 2017. “The project will see the installation of state-of-the-art . . . equipment, scheduled to go live in 2025.” Emovis noted, “The A-25 Highway, which largely spans the Lanaudière region, includes a vital toll bridge connecting the cities of Montreal and Laval. In 2023, over 19 million motorists crossed the bridge, with an impressive 84.4% of users registered in the system. The high satisfaction rate of motorists further demonstrates the system’s efficiency and reliability.”
The A25 concession is held in equal stakes by Transurban and CDPQ, the Quebec pension management investment firm.
Q-Free Upgraded Slovenian Back-Office System To Expand Tolling Interoperability
Q-Free, the international tolling and intelligent transportation systems provider based in Norway, “has announced a major upgrade for state-owned Slovenian toll road network operator DARS to allow for truck and freight interoperability with Toll4Europe uniform payment solutions across Europe,” Traffic Technology Today reported. “To add Slovenia to the growing list of countries under the Toll4Europe program, Q-Free and Telekom Slovenije upgraded the DARS tolling back-office system to integrate charging and payments, allowing a single onboard unit (OBU) to pay tolls seamlessly across borders.” According to a Q-Free news release, the system upgrade “will save time and money for trucking companies and drivers by enabling them to cross multiple European borders with a single transponder.”
Verra Mobility And Telepass Expand Toll Payment Service For Rental Car Customers In Italy
Verra Mobility announced the expansion of a European business line it established through a 2023 partnership it formed with Telepass. The firms jointly developed an interoperable toll payment solution for Italian rental car customers. That solution is now available for optional purchase in locations throughout Italy operated by two “global rental car companies.” According to Verra Mobility’s news release, its service “enables safer, faster and seamless tolling for renters,” who “pay one simple daily fee that includes the costs of all tolls they may encounter during their journey. The solution enables access for 100% of the tolling network in Italy via [Verra Mobility’s] strategic partnership with Telepass.”
Industry People Made News
After 27 years as a CEO at Detroit Windsor Tunnel, LLC, and American Roads, LLC, Neal Belitsky is planning to retire on or about November 1. He made a brief announcement of his decision on Thursday, adding that more information will be forthcoming.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) chair and CEO Janno Lieber named three people to senior executive roles last week. Demetrius Crichlow, interim president of New York City Transit for several months, was confirmed in that post. Tim Mulligan, who was deputy chief development officer at MTA Construction and Development, has assumed a newly created position, chief of rolling stock program. program. Mersida Ibric, who was named acting chief people officer earlier this year, was confirmed in the position.
Jennifer Givner, the New York Thruway Authority’s communications director since 2015, was given the new title of chief media and government relations officer. She will lead a newly created Department of Media and Government Relations.
Have A Question or Comment? Email Us! For TollRoadsNews subscription information, please call 717-991-2823, email us or visit our website.
