Daily News Briefs, July 19, 2019

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Commentary on a Possible Connecticut Bridge Toll Program

The Middletown Press columnist Dan Haar writes, “With no political consensus on [Connecticut] tolls, we’re back to the starting gate, much to the chagrin of people who know full highway tolling makes the most sense. . . . Everything is back up for discussion. That, sources say, includes tolls for trucks only, and tolls for bridges only. Truck tolling doesn’t work legally and it doesn’t raise enough money. . . . So that leaves bridges.” Haar sketches a bridge toll plan and does some back-of-the-envelope figuring about toll rates and revenue.

Connecticut Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT)

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New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Serve Entire Kansas Turnpike

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports, as the result of a partnership among the Kansas Turnpike Authority, Westar Energy and Kansas City Power and Light, electric vehicle drivers can now “travel the entire 236-mile length of the Kansas Turnpike without ever having to exit to recharge their car’s batteries.” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced the opening of “fast-charging” stations at KTA’s Topeka, Lawrence and Towanda service areas at a Wednesday news conference during which she described the facilities as “a game changer” for EV drivers. The charging stations  were manufactured by ChargePoint, according to the article.

Customer Service Experience Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Kansas Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA)

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Illinois Tollway Adds Motorist Assistance Patrols during Heat Wave

The Illinois Tollway Authority has initiated 24/7 “Hot Weather Patrols” to search for drivers
stranded in disabled vehicles and respond to motorist assistance calls during the current heat wave. According to a news release, a minimum of twelve around-the-clock “Hot Weather Patrols” will supplement the services regularly provided by the State Farm-sponsored Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) units and the Illinois State Police.

Customer Service Experience Highway and Bridge Safety (Including COVID-19 Impacts) Illinois Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (IL Tollway)

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OTA's Mobile PIKEPASS Store Gets a Shout-Out

KLAW is a booster of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s “cool” mobile PIKEPASS store, reporting “You can open an account, add or replace a Pikepass and even pay your Pikepass bill, all in one convenient location!  Pretty Awesome!  Tell all of your Friends!” The station notes that the store is on the road at a Lawton car dealership today.

ETC Systems Oklahoma Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) PIKEPASS

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NJDOT Announces Weekend Closure of Pulaski Skyway

NJ.com reports, the Pulaski Skyway will be closed to all traffic between tomorrow morning and early Monday morning. According to the article, “A contractor will be doing pier replacement work west of Central Avenue in Kearny and rehabilitation to both the upper and lower roadways of Route 139 in Jersey City” as part of the ongoing skyway improvement project. New Jersey DOT suggests that motorists use the New Jersey Turnpike-Hudson County Extension to get to the Holland Tunnel, I-78 and other major routes.

New Jersey New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) New York City

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These are just a few of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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