National alliance forms to keep existing interstates toll-free
A national coalition, consisting of such entities as American Truck Associations (ATA), FedEx, McDonalds, UPS and more has been formed to expressly oppose the imposition of tolls on existing federal interstates.
Called the Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates (ATFI), the organization notes that a “sustainable solution to America’s transportation funding needs must not include putting new tolls on existing interstates.” ATFI states that it is focused on “educating the public and policymakers about the negative impact that tolling existing interstates will have on citizens, businesses, and the U.S. economy.”
ATFI is composed of associations representing restaurants, trucking companies, truckstops and travel plazas as well as the moving & storage industry, vehicle rental industry, motorists, and motorcyclists.
“Since its inception, The Federal Interstate Highway System has facilitated unrestricted commerce and travel throughout the country. It is vital to the U.S. supply chain and has revolutionized the way America does business. Tolling existing interstates would reverse this progress, raising costs for travelers, businesses, and consumers, and harming the many businesses and communities located along interstate routes subject to new tolls,” said Jay Perron, ATFI member and Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the International Franchise Association.
Logistics companies such as Old Dominion Freight Line are also concerned about the increased business cost of tolling existing interstate lanes. Bill Cranfill, General Counsel for Old Dominion Freight Line and member of ATFI, said, “The creation of the federal highway system opened an avenue of commerce never before seen in the U.S. This concept of unrestricted movement is a pillar of the modern economy. We support increased funding for highways but oppose tolls on current federal interstate capacity. Tolls are an inefficient method of funding, would increase the cost of moving goods, and would decrease efficiency by pushing interstate traffic onto less safe and slower local roads.”
While federal law prohibits tolls on existing Interstate highway lanes, a federal pilot program allows three states to place tolls on existing lanes within their borders.
With Congress debating long-term transportation funding and states looking for additional revenue, the tolling industry is, according to ATFI, pressuring lawmakers to open existing federal interstate capacity to tolls.
ATFI currently has over 100 members nationwide including:
American Motorcycle Association
American Trucking Associations
FedEx
International Franchise Association
McDonald’s
Moving and Storage Association
National Motorists Association
National Council of Chain Restaurants
NATSO
Old Dominion Freight Line
Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association
Truck Renting and Leasing Association
Truckload Carriers Association
UPS
More at: www.tollfreeinterstates.com.
Category: Featured, General Update, Management
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