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IBTTA History

Welcome to the IBTTA History page!

Founded in 1932 as the American Toll Bridge Association (ATBA), IBTTA was born in the depths of the Great Depression, a time when economic hardship and environmental challenges were felt worldwide. Despite these turbulent beginnings, a small but determined group of toll bridge operators and engineers came together with a shared vision. 

Under the leadership of Dr. D.B. Steinman, this fledgling organization with just 36 members, aimed to pool resources, share expertise, and solve common challenges in toll bridge operations. From those humble beginnings, IBTTA has grown into a global leader in advancing tolling and transportation solutions. Explore our history and see how far we've come in more than 90 years of Driving Change!

We're compiling information about our history so we hope you'll check back soon! In the meantime, if you've never seen our 75th Anniversary book, take a peek!

75th Anniversary Book (42 pages) PDF 5.56 MB
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

In this special conversation, IBTTA's past presidents reflect on the association’s rich history—sharing personal stories, lessons learned, and the enduring values that have shaped our community over the decades. Their voices capture the spirit of connection and leadership that continues to guide IBTTA today, reminding us that every milestone in our past has paved the way for the future we’re building together. This session was preceded by longtime IBTTA member Ed Regan, who reflected on 43 years of Annual Meetings and the people and moments that defined his journey.