Daily News Briefs, October 25, 2024

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NYC Congestion Pricing May Be On The Comeback Trail

Is New York Governor Kathy Hochul reconsidering her decision to “pause” MTA’s Manhattan congestion pricing program? NBC News New York and WABC News report it’s a possibility.

According to NBC, the gloomy MTA financial outlook report issued this 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 adds, “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.”

Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Congestion Pricing Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York New York City

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Kansas Turnpike Authority Opens 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, covers yesterday’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 rate of 4.8 cents per mile for KTAG users is the lowest nationwide among all systems with strictly cashless toll collections.

AET (All-Electronic Tolling) Customer Service Experience ETC Systems Express Lanes Kansas Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA)

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State Truck Parking Initiatives Receive Federal Grants

Commercial Carrier Journal notes that three of the 44 major discretionary grants announced by USDOT this week will fund truck parking projects in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Nevada.

  • Ohio DOT received a $17.9 million INFRA award to repurpose two closed rest areas (on I-70 and I-80) as new truck parking facilities. Among other things, ODOT will introduce video surveillance of the sites and incorporate them into the Truck Parking Information Management System.
  • Wisconsin DOT will use a $12.5 million INFRA grant to rehabilitate two existing I-43 rest areas, add a new maintenance garage, and expand car and truck parking.
  • A $275 million Nevada DOT INFRA grant will focus on widening a segment of I-80 between the Reno-Sparks metro area and the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center but also create 50 new truck parking spaces along the corridor.
Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Nevada Nevada Department of Transportation Ohio Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) US Department of Transportation (USDOT) US Gov't Transportation Funding US Infrastructure Funding And Financing Initiatives Wisconsin Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)

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

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