- New York State Lawmakers Reject MTA's Five-Year Capital Program Plan
- Oklahoma Lawmakers See No Immediate Need To Plan Fuel Tax Replacement
- Colorado Starts Issuing More Express Lanes Safety Fines This Week
- A Look At Control And Management Of Austin's Extensive Tollways
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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New York State Lawmakers Reject MTA's Five-Year Capital Program Plan
Gothamist reports, on Christmas Eve, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) was notified that New York State legislative leaders rejected the agency’s proposed five-year (2025-2029) capital plan. The notice came one day before the $65-billion-plus plan proposed by MTA directors last September would have lapsed into approval under state law. The decision likely interrupts MTA’s implementation of crucial repair and restoration projects and introduces new uncertainty into the authority’s financial future.
“The lawmakers cited a hefty funding gap as the reason for the rejection.” They added that they plan to negotiate over MTA funding as part of the 2025 state budget process. The authority has the right to respond to the legislature within 10 days. If its response doesn’t convince lawmakers to withdraw the rejection, MTA management must submit a new plan.
In a statement on the rejection issued by her office, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) said she expects the legislature to identify revenue streams that will eliminate the capital funding shortfall or recommend a reprioritization of crucial infrastructure upgrade projects.
Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York New York CityOklahoma Lawmakers See No Immediate Need To Plan Fuel Tax Replacement
Oklahoma Voice reports, Oklahoma lawmakers’ flirtation with the idea of creating a voluntary mileage-based road-use charge program is over.
In 2021, state legislation (HB 1712) mandated creation of an Oklahoma Road User Charge Program and set up a task force to study transportation funding alternatives to address the decline in fuel tax revenues. The study yielded a report but no further action. A sponsor of the legislation, Representative Brian Hill (R-47), now tells Oklahoma Voice, “I don’t foresee Oklahoma implementing a pay-per-mile program in the near future.” Hill says legislation imposing a fee on EV charging and the registration of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids dealt with immediate concerns about transportation funding.
The article notes that Oklahoma’s current rate of motor vehicle fuel taxation — 19 cents per gallon — is among the lowest in the US.
Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Oklahoma Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Road Use Charging (RUC-MBUF-VMT)Colorado Starts Issuing More Express Lanes Safety Fines This Week
Colorado Public Radio reports, “Drivers who weave in and out of Colorado’s [tolled express lanes] could be in for a costly reckoning in the new year” in the form of a civil penalty that starts at $75.00 per infraction.
Following tomorrow night’s expiration of a one-month grace period, Colorado DOT’s Express Lanes Safety and Toll Enforcement Program will be in full effect on the I-70 Central, I-25 South Gap (Monument to Castle Rock), and US 36 toll facilities. The program uses sensor and camera technology to identify and cite drivers who disregard pavement markings and illegally enter or exit the tolled lanes. The article notes that over the first 17 days of the grace period, the system generated 23,873 warnings to offending motorists.
On facilities where CDOT earlier initiated the program, violations have dropped by 80 percent.
Colorado Colorado Department of Transportation Express Lanes Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Intelligent Transportation SystemsA Look At Control And Management Of Austin's Extensive Tollways
KXAN publishes a primer on Austin, Texas, toll roads as a guide for motorists who may have difficulty comprehending and navigating the network of 10 facilities controlled by either the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) or TxDOT. The feature article includes a brief description of each tollway with links to websites that have more detailed information.
In view of a recent change in transaction processing and customer service — TxDOT transferred managerial responsibility for its Austin facilities to the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) earlier this month — a particularly helpful aspect of the KXAN article is its description of toll rate setting and electronic tolling system functions.
Austin (TX) Metro Area Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) ETC Systems Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) Texas Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) TxTagThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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