Indiana Proposes Tolls on Interstate Freeways

Indiana state lawmakers are seeking authority from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to introduce tolls on interstate freeways, reports Noël Fletcher in Transport Topics.

“The 33-page bipartisan bill signed in May by Gov. Mike Braun contains a tolling clause along with sections addressing bridges, low water crossings, transportation infrastructure bonds, a railroad tax credit, and a wheel and excise surtax.” The bill asks the FHWA for a waiver on toll lanes for interstates and calls for removing a requirement that the General Assembly must pass legislation to implement tolling.

According to the legislation, the state could gain $38.2 billion over a 22-year period through the tolls. It would be the first state to charge tolls on interstate freeways.  The proposal is opposed by the trucking industry but supported by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, which said in a report, “Providing much-needed infrastructure funding for local governments by increasing flexibility in transportation taxes and targeting grant opportunities is beneficial. This bill would also provide local units with a means of securing additional revenue for road and bridge projects, enhancing the state’s transportation network and economic development.”