IBTTA applauds study released today by the National Association of Manufacturers on Need for Greater Infrastructure Investment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 23, 2014
CONTACT: Kristofer Eisenla, LUNA+EISENLA media
[email protected] | 202-670-5747 (mobile)

New report, “Catching Up: Greater Focus Needed to Achieve a More Competitive Infrastructure” conducted by the University of Maryland’s Inforum

WASHINGTON, DC -- IBTTA commends the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) on the release today of their new study, “Catching Up:  Greater Focus Needed to Achieve a More Competitive Infrastructure”.

“The study shows, yet again, the ‘sobering data’ associated with the state of our nation’s infrastructure investment,” said Patrick D. Jones, Executive Director and CEO of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA). “The report points to a decade-long decline in infrastructure investments that each day slows our economy, threatens our mobility, and wastes time, energy and productivity. It is another rumble in the steady drumbeat of reports that call on Congress to enact a long-term transportation funding bill.”

Furthermore, the report goes on to state in its “Conclusion and Policy Comments” the benefit of employing toll-financed transportation in “appropriate scenarios”:

“Pricing mechanisms in appropriate scenarios can encourage users to make more efficient use of infrastructure when they reflect the full costs of its use. Residential consumers of water and wastewater services already pay metered pricing for the cost of investment and maintenance of necessary infrastructure, and other forms of infrastructure could benefit from similar pricing systems. For example, congestion pricing systems, such as high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes and variable rates for mass transit, can help to reduce delays and improve system throughput. The case for placing more of the cost burden on users of infrastructure services with marginal cost pricing is well established. The revenue generated can be employed to finance capacity enhancements, and so the pricing mechanisms serve two important roles: to improve efficient use of existing infrastructure and to finance extensions to its capacity.”

“As the report suggests, tolling is one proven solution to help provide the adequate funding our roads and highways so desperately need. Tolling is by no means a silver bullet; but it is a viable funding and financing option that should be on the table for discussion.”

“We applaud NAM’s report today that highlights the value of toll-financed infrastructure to, ‘improve efficient use of existing infrastructure and to finance extensions to its capacity.’  We look forward to continuing our work with all stakeholders to ensure that Americans have a first-class transportation system.”

In 2013, IBTTA launched Moving America Forward - a public awareness campaign that highlights the benefits of tolling to elected officials at all levels, policymakers, the media, and the general public. For additional information on IBTTA’s Moving America Forward campaign, including fact sheets, background documents and other materials about tolling and the industry, please click here.

# # #

About IBTTA
The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in more than 20 countries on six continents. Through advocacy, thought leadership and education, members are implementing state-of-the-art, innovative user-based transportation financing solutions to address the critical infrastructure challenges of the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ibtta.org or join us on Twitter @IBTTA or #TollRoads.