Anti-Toll Group Criticizes Secretary Chao on Infrastructure Remarks

Following remarks by Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao on Wednesday, May 18, regarding Infrastructure Week and recent reports on the Trump Administration’s infrastructure plan, the Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates issued a statement criticizes the approach.

“We are very concerned about how heavily the not-yet-released Trump Administration’s transportation plan will rely upon public-private partnerships to fund our roads. Leveraging “$200 billion” public dollars into a $1 trillion transportation plan will only be possible if private investors see opportunity for profits via surefire revenue streams, and for surface infrastructure that will mean widespread use of tolling. Tolls are the worst funding mechanism available, are a highly inefficient use of funds, and hurt businesses, communities and economies where they are located.

The only way to use tolls to fund improvements and maintenance on the 223,257 miles of existing urban and rural roads in the National Highway System would be to lift the federal ban on tolling existing interstates. Lifting the federal ban on tolling existing interstates would require a literal act of Congress, and the outcry from the American public and businesses will be a resounding rejection of tolls. Congress is obligated under the Constitution to protect interstate commerce, and tolling an existing Interstate highway is a clear violation of interstate commerce.

There is a rising tide of opposition to tolling and growing support for federal investment in infrastructure. While “nothing is off the table” in terms of funding and financing options, tolls, especially on our existing interstates, should be flatly rejected for fixing America’s roads.”

The group also noted that in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey released this week, 72 percent of those polled said the U.S. should invest more in transportation infrastructure, and 73 percent said the federal government should take the lead role. At least 22 states have passed laws imposing higher gas taxes in the past five years, and 75% of respondents in a POLITICO poll said it was important there be major new spending by the federal government on roads, bridges, airports and other infrastructure. Among Trump voters, support for federal infrastructure spending as an important priority was 70%.

Conversely, just two weeks ago, Texas legislators rejected a transportation bill that would have allowed the Texas Department of Transportation to enter into public-private partnerships for 18 road projects across the state.

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