IBTTA Calls For User-Based Funding and Policy Reforms to Strengthen U.S. Infrastructure And Economy
IBTTA Releases Press Statement on User-Based Funding and Policy Reforms
This below statement was originally released as a press release. View or download the full release in our Press Releases section. For more information, contact Tanya Sheres.
Association’s recommendations align with U.S. DOT priorities to enhance safety, accelerate project delivery, foster economic growth, and promote partnerships
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) today announced the submission of its policy recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation in response to the agency’s request for ideas on “Advancing a Surface Transportation Proposal That Focuses on America’s Most Fundamental Infrastructure Needs” [Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0468].
Tolling plays a central role in funding and maintaining America’s most heavily traveled highways, bridges, and tunnels. Across 33 states, 132 toll operators process 9.6 billion annual transactions, generating more than $25 billion each year that is reinvested directly into the transportation system. These user fees provide a critical source of funding at a time when the federal Highway Trust Fund — long the backbone of national transportation investment — is projected by the Congressional Budget Office to face annual shortfalls of roughly $20 billion beginning in 2028.
In its filing, IBTTA emphasized that the successor to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is a pivotal opportunity to modernize America’s roads, bridges, and tunnels, strengthen the U.S. economy, and reinforce the federal commitment to infrastructure. Without additional revenues, the Trust Fund deficit is expected to grow precipitously — from annual shortfalls of $20 billion beginning in 2028 to $241 billion by 2033. IBTTA underscored the need to supplement fuel tax revenues with user-based funding to help close this gap.
“Addressing the Highway Trust Fund challenge requires using every tool in the toolbox,” said James Hofmann, president of IBTTA and executive director/CEO of North Texas Tollway Authority. “User-based revenue models like tolling and road pricing are proven and dependable, and when combined with existing federal and state funding streams, they can provide the investment needed to maintain and improve the backbone of America’s economy.”
IBTTA’s submission calls for a federal transportation program that expands investment, advances innovative funding models, and supports critical infrastructure outcomes. Key priorities include:
- Expanding flexibility for tolling and road pricing to allow states and localities to fund reconstruction, enhancements, and congestion management on interstate and federal-aid highways.
- Enhancing federal investment in bridges and roadway safety, including dedicated funding for bridge resilience, work zone protections, and eligibility for toll facilities under federal safety programs.
- Streamlining project delivery through full implementation of the One Federal Decision policy, reducing duplicative reviews while upholding environmental standards.
- Advancing alternatives to motor fuel taxes, such as road usage charging and mileage-based user fees, to supplement the Highway Trust Fund and ensure long-term solvency.
- Accelerating deployment of connected vehicle (V2X) technologies through increased funding, interoperability standards, and public-private collaboration.
- Strengthening resilience programs like PROTECT to harden infrastructure against extreme weather and other disruptions.
“The reauthorization of the federal surface transportation programs is an opportunity to modernize America’s infrastructure through investment,” said Mark Muriello, IBTTA vice president of policy and government affairs. “The reality is that there are no free roads. New federal revenue sources are essential. By embracing user-based payments as a complement to existing federal funding, we can deliver safer, smarter and more reliable transportation systems that drive long-term economic growth.”
IBTTA also joined more than 60 national transportation advocacy organizations in a letter to Congress calling for reauthorization principles focused on sustained investment, state flexibility, safety, and streamlined project delivery.
Read IBTTA’s full submission to the U.S. DOT here and the coalition letter to Congress here.
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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.