The state has gained one of 15 slots offered by the Federal Highway Administration to participate in a pilot program implementing a new electronic toll system based on a concept called value pricing.
The federal value-pricing pilot program bypasses federal prohibitions against new tolls on federal highways by offering an exemption which allows certain types of electronic tolls.
The tools can be placed on designated express lanes, along borders and along specific sections of highway as long as the revenue generated is pumped back into infrastructure improvements.
Pricing can be varied throughout the day to encourage alternative routes of modes of transportation or travel schedule changes.
Opponents, however, are mobilizing to stop tolls. Over 500 people flooded the General Assembly's Transportation Committee's website last week with statements of opposition.
"The vast majority are communicating that they strongly oppose tolls," state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, said.
"We have to do a better job of explaining this," said state Rep. Tony Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill, and co-chairman of the General Assembly's transportation committee, which is considering a bill to authorize electronic tolls at the state's borders.
"You could pay $3 to go to the express lane or sit in traffwic," Guerrera said. "I'm going to pay the $3."
Turning point
A study funded by the federal government to look at the state's current highway congestion and the potential benefit of electronic tolls is underway and is expected to be completed within a month.
The study includes a look at the revenue potential from tolls and the various options available.
After the report is released, state officials and the General Assembly will have to decide whether to continue participating in the federal value-pricing program or walk away. If the state declines, Connecticut's slot will go to another state.
Electronic tolls do not involve the familiar and now old-fashioned tool booth. Instead, an arch is erected over a highway capable of reading E-ZPasses or license plates as cars pass underneath.
The toll study is focused on two areas: the New York corridor of Interstate 95 to New Haven and Interstate 84 around Hartford.
According to an informational report issued by CDM Smith, a Massachusetts transportation consultant hired to conduct the value pricing study, the state can use the exemption offered under value pricing to place tolls in other locations, such as the Danbury area.
CDM Smith said electronic tolls can be used for spot pricing at specific locations to fund a highway improvement project, such as adding lanes or widening the highway.
Tolls can also be used to pay for new express lanes, manage congestion by encouraging alternate routes; pay for improvements to rail and bus service and to fund conversion of high occupancy lanes to toll lanes.
"Another possible VPPP project operating expense could be further investments in physical and operational improvements to U.S. Route 1 and Merritt Parkway," CDM Smith said.
"Congestion pricing can provide sustainable relief by managing peak use even as travel demand grows," said Tom Maziarz, a bureau chief with the state Department of Transportation.
Just say no
Meanwhile, opponents are polling, lobbying and encouraging residents to reject tolls.
Boucher, the Wilton state senator, said the public is so upset the term toll has become a "four-letter" word in the state. The public is weighing in on this issue in a big way," she said.
"I have preliminary survey results conducted by my office that reveal that 82.5 percent of constituents from my part of the state are against border tolls, 12 percent are in favor and the other 5.5 percent are undecided," Boucher said.
State Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-Greenwich, said tolls will create backups on local roads as drivers try to avoid the fees.
"You are going to have backups of drivers seeking to avoid a toll on the exit ramps on I-95, and absolute mayhem if (the General Assembly) approves border tolls," Frantz said.
"When you have cars trying to unload on local streets to get around tolls, that traffic wreaks havoc on local businesses, and families have difficulty getting kids to school on time. I am very concerned," Frantz said.
The General Assembly's minority Republican caucus prefers to sell hundreds of millions of dollars in bonds to fund a transportation improvement program.
Guerrera said he doesn't understand the opposition to tolls, considering the state faces a $100 billion bill over the next 30 years to bring its highways, roads, bridges and rail system into the 21st century.
"I think the attitudes will change when people better understand," Guerrera said.
"The waivers we need are here," Guerrera said. "We are allowing this infrastructure to get worse, and I would hate to see something tragic happen."
___
(c)2015 the Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, Conn.)
Visit the Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, Conn.) at www.ctpost.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
