In last month’s column, I reviewed the trucking industry’s four primary concerns about tolling and concluded that three of the four have merit. These could be addressed in future toll projects via legislative changes that would prevent the diversion of toll revenues to non-highway purposes, begin tolling only after a new or rebuilt highway or bridge was opened to traffic, and provide refunds or rebates of fuel taxes for the miles driven on newly tolled facilities. The fourth concern greatly exaggerates the cost of toll collection as a fraction of revenue, which is very low for over-the-road big-rigs.
