- Mineta Institute Survey Reveals Increased Public Support For Mileage-Based Use Fees
- Oklahoma Senate Panel Advances Tim Gatz's Renomination As Oklahoma DOT Director
- Alabama Governor Stages Ceremonial Signing Of Foley Beach Bridge Sale Agreement
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Mineta Institute Survey Reveals Increased Public Support For Mileage-Based Use Fees
On Monday, San Jose State University’s Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) released national survey results in which a slight majority (51 percent) of respondents indicated support for “replacing the federal gas tax with a mileage fee where the rate would vary according to the vehicle’s pollution emissions.” Dr. Asha Weinstein Agrawal, principal author of a survey analysis, commented, “More than half of respondents supported not only the pollution-rate mileage fee but also a new ‘Business Road-Use Fee’ that would be charged to delivery and freight trucks (58%) or to taxis and ride-hailing vehicles (53%). By contrast, the least popular mileage fee option was a flat-rate fee on all travel. Support for this option was only 39%.” The survey of more than 2,500 adults was the fifteenth in an annual series on public opinion regarding transportation funding. Over time, the results have shown rising public support for mileage-based road use fees as an alternative to fuel taxation. The results of this year’s survey also revealed that almost two-thirds of respondents support “lower mileage-fee rates for low-income drivers;” only 2% of respondents knew there hasn’t been a federal fuel tax increase in more than 20 years; and “three-quarters of respondents supported raising the gas tax rate if the revenue would be dedicated to maintaining streets and highways.”
Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation Mineta Transportation Institute (SJSU) Public Outreach And Communication Road Use Charging (RUC-MBUF-VMT) Transportation and Infrastructure Research & Development US Gov't Transportation FundingOklahoma Senate Panel Advances Tim Gatz's Renomination As Oklahoma DOT Director
The Oklahoma Senate’s Aeronautics and Transportation Committee yesterday voted 8 to 1 to advance Tim Gatz’s nomination to continue serving as ODOT executive director, Tulsa World reports. Gatz was simultaneously serving as ODOT secretary and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) executive director until he resigned those offices in compliance with a state attorney general’s opinion issued in February. That opinion is now being appealed by the governor. Gatz’s current nomination now goes to the Senate floor for a final vote. Senator Mary Boren (D-16), who requested the opinion that effectively forced Gatz to renounce his other offices, cast the sole dissenting vote on his nomination.
The Oklahoman reports, Senator Boren used the nomination hearing to query Gatz about state transportation policies and his record at OTA. She attempted to ask questions about decision-making surrounding the ACCESS Oklahoma expansion initiative — part of which is vigorously opposed in Boren’s district — but was stopped several times by the committee chair, who ruled that the hearing’s scope was limited to Gatz’s leadership of ODOT. In a post-hearing statement, Senator Boren said she expects Gatz to be confirmed, and she regrets being unable to have a “candid conversation” with him about the projects affecting her district. “I hoped for the chance to talk about ways that Mr. Gatz would restore trust with my constituents. Unfortunately, the confirmation process prevented us from publicly having this kind of candid conversation.”
Appointments-Promotions-Retirements Oklahoma Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA)Alabama Governor Stages Ceremonial Signing Of Foley Beach Bridge Sale Agreement
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) isn’t letting the state’s purchase of the Foley Beach Express Bridge take place without fanfare, as WPMI reports. Ivey scheduled a ceremonial signing of the sale paperwork today at 11:00 AM. Three local mayors, one county commissioner and an ALDOT representative were to join her for the occasion. ALDOT is paying Baldwin County Bridge Company (BCBC) $57 million to bring the facility into public ownership. (Another $3 million will go to the City of Orange Beach.) Starting tomorrow, bridge tolling will be eliminated.
WSFA covered the event and Ivey issued a news release.
Acquisitions and Mergers Alabama Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) American Roads LLC Baldwin County AL Beach Express (Baldwin County (AL) Bridge Co.) P3 & PrivatizationThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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