IBTTA’s Statement on President Trump’s 2018 Budget Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 23, 2017
CONTACT: Bill Cramer, Communications Director
202-210-2962 (mobile)

Repeal Burdensome Regulation and Give States Maximum Flexibility to Use Financing Tools to Meet Their Local Needs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the White House released President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget, including a $200 billion investment in infrastructure projects over the next 10 years with a focus on leveraging the power of public private partnerships.

Patrick D. Jones, Executive Director and CEO of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) offered the following statement in response:

“To complement the proposed $200 billion for infrastructure projects included in the President’s FY 2018 budget and the administration’s call for regulatory reform, Congress should lift the ban on tolling Interstate Highways. Congress should give states access to one more tool in the toolbox by allowing them to toll their Interstate highways specifically to rebuild them.  This wouldn’t be a mandate; no state would be required to toll their interstates.  This would simply give states an option, the flexibility to choose tolling if it makes sense to them.

“Toll financing is not the answer for every infrastructure project in the country, but the power of tolling is proven and effective.  Giving states flexibility to toll their interstates for the purpose of reconstruction is consistent with two principles outlined in Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao’s recent testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee: long term reform on how infrastructure projects are regulated and broadening and expanding participation in infrastructure funding so that more projects can be undertaken overall.

“IBTTA looks forward to working with the President and Congress to develop an infrastructure investment plan that helps all Americans.”

Thirty-five states and territories throughout the country have utilized tolling in one form or another to help pay for infrastructure development.   There are currently over 5,900 miles of tolled roads throughout the United States today that generate over $13 billion in toll revenues annually and support billions of dollars of capital investments each year.

To speak with Patrick Jones or for more information about IBTTA, please contact Bill Cramer at [email protected] or 202-210-2962 (mobile) or visit www.IBTTA.org.

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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 or join us on Twitter @IBTTA or #TollRoads.