Posted on 12/08/2018 8:54:40 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Northern Indiana lawmakers are calling into question Gov. Eric Holcomb’s decision against imposing new tolls on the state’s interstate highways, while allowing the Indiana Toll Road’s private operator to significantly boost rates for large trucks using that highway.
Democratic Sen. Karen Tallian of Portage tells the South Bend Tribune that the situation is unfair because only the communities in northern Indiana along the Toll Road will have the burden of higher tolls, while all parts of the state will benefit from the toll money.
The Republican governor announced in September that the operator of the Toll Road, which runs across the northern part of the state from the Illinois state line to the Ohio state line, would increase tolls by 35 percent in exchange for $1 billion for state infrastructure improvements over the next several years.
Holcomb’s plan directs $600 million toward speeding up the completion of the Interstate 69 extension between Indianapolis and Martinsville in central Indiana, but his administration maintains northern Indiana will get a fair share of the infrastructure spending.
State officials last month completed a plan on adding tolls to Indiana’s interstate system. But Holcomb said he believed fuel tax and vehicle registration fee increases approved by the General Assembly last year will sufficiently fund the state’s current road construction projects even though highway revenues are projected to start dropping after 2025.
“I’m happy that the governor isn’t looking at expanding tolling,” said Democratic Sen. David Niezgodski of South Bend. “But you have to believe people up here are getting fed up with seeing their money taken and distributed across the state.”
(Excerpt) Read more at tribtown.com ...
PING.
There was a time when I was driving from southeastern PA to Chicago regularly.
As the tolls rose it was getting close to break even point of taking the slightly longer route through Columbus and Indianapolis, but the hour saved each way was worth tolls.
Now, I’m not so sure.
Indiana Toll Road allows super-heavy and three-trailer combos. This is more than fair.
If ‘Rats oppose it, it’s most likely a wise plan.
Hispanics run the State of Indian[is that name allowed these days?]a Toll Road.
Sounds like there is some sorta Racis’ taxation going on...
Isn't that just income redistribution? I thought the Socialists were all for that??
Indiana allows studded tires.
Michigan does not.
Running down from Mich. with studded tires into Indiana [and Ill., Ia., Neb, Colo., etc.] represents much less risk than going over I-94 all the way to w. Ind..
Mich. allows 160,000# trucks on plenty-o-roads.
The US standard is #80,000#, generally.
What is the max GVW on the Ind. Toll Road?
Indiana is heavily Republican, but I do know what you mean.
Actually, Australians do. The original people who leased the toll road, a consortium of Cintra (Spaniards) and MacQuarie (Australians) declared bankruptcy after they couldn’t toll their way out of over $6 billion in debt. The lease was then purchased by IFM Investors (more Australians).
“State officials last month completed a plan on adding tolls to Indiana’s interstate system.”
Thanks Tol. For the above, am I missing something or are states now free to start tolling what are today Interstates, as I read the above.
As to the article, what the governor’s doing is total BS: Having a private entity, that essentially was given a monopoly, raise its prices and give the state a cut. If that’s permitted, then why bother having legislatures?
Nope. Tolling on Interstates is still forbidden, unless Indiana captures one of those slots in that pilot program. Then they could toll I-70 OR I-65 OR I-94, but not all three.
I’ll have to read up on that.
The Hispanics initially bought the toll rights.
Now that some diggers get all the dough, it would seem that there should be WAY more shrimp on the Barbie in Ind in the summer.
The Indian[a] Toll Road predates the initial Fed. Interstate build-out.
Interesting discussion. I thought I knew but went to DOT to be sure.
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/tollroad.cfm
Cripes..Not sure what I know now.
Here’s an earlier article with more info...
https://www.thetruckersreport.com/indiana-toll-road-raises-tolls-35-truckers/
I couldn’t figure out if this is a good deal or not. I am reminded that Chicago got pantsed doing a couple of these kinds of deals ( not with the toll )
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