Free Republic

Executive Councilors are contemplating a 50 percent increase to tolls on New Hampshire roadways – including the plaza on Interstate 93 in Hooksett – in order to fund an acceleration of long-term construction projects. A proposal presented to councilors by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation on Wednesday would raise cash fees at the Hooksett tollbooth from $1 to $1.50, and EZ-Pass charges from 70 cents to $1.05. The Hooksett I-93 ramp, which currently charges 50 cents cash, would increase to 75 cents; other toll areas in Hampton, Dover and Rochester would increase by lower amounts. The pricing scheme, drawn...

Public agencies with toll-setting authority should take note of a recent federal court decision relating to the uses of user fees and toll revenue, as well as the stated goals of the plaintiff in that case.The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York recently clarified the constitutional uses of toll revenue in American Trucking Associations v. New York State Thruway Authority, 13 Civ. 8123 (CM) (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 10, 2016). In this case, commercial trucking companies and the American Trucking Associations (ATA) claimed that the New York State Thruway Authority violated the Constitution by charging inflated toll rates...

The Interstate 69 corridor, a Mexico-to-Canada concept discussed since 1991, has received government recognition as a "corridor of the future," a designation that immediately means $800,000 in federal money for studies. Local officials say it could mean more trade in South Texas. The corridor -- a 2,680-mile international trade route from Mexico to Canada also known as the Trans-Texas Corridor-69 -- was one of two designated Tuesday as corridors of the future. Interstate 10 from California to Florida also received recognition. Hailed as a route that would facilitate trade resulting from the North American Free Trade Agreement, I-69's Texas portion...