In response to a recent spate of interest in leasing toll facilities to private companies, including the lease of the Indiana Toll Road and Chicago Skyway, ATA’s Board voted in Oct. 2006 to oppose such schemes. ATA’s policy states that ATA “strongly opposes the lease or sale of existing toll roads, bridges or tunnels to private parties.” ATA’s Board of Directors established a 10-point policy on privatization for those cases in which toll facilities might end up in the hands of the private sector.
Responding to a request from Pennsylvania’s Governor, a group including Citi Infrastructure Investors, Abertis Infraestructuras and Criteria CaixaCorp submitted a $12.8 billion bid to lease the turnpike for 75 years in return for the authority to collect tolls. The Governor estimated that investing the concession would yield $1.1 billion in annual revenue available for transportation projects throughout the state. Critics have questioned the estimate as being overly optimistic. Toll rate increases under the concession agreement are capped at the annual rate of inflation. ATA and the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association are leading the effort to oppose the lease, which must be approved by the state legislature.
New Jersey’s Governor Corzine is supporting “monetization” or “securitization” of that state’s toll facilities. In January 2008 Corzine announced that under his plan, tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway would increase by 50% every 4 years between 2010 and 2022, with annual increases tied to the rate of inflation. Revenue would go to state debt relief and transportation projects. ATA has testified before a state General Assembly committee against monetization and increased toll costs. Corzine recently acknowledged that his proposal has little support, and has all but abandoned the plan. However, more modest toll rate increases are still under consideration.
The Florida Department of Transportation is seeking bids to lease the 78-mile portion of I-75 known as Alligator Alley. Eight bidders have pre-qualified to submit proposals. A final decision is likely by September 2008.
ATA led the establishment of a coalition of highway user organizations to oppose privatization of toll facilities. Called “Americans for a Strong National Highway Network,” the coalition held a February 2007 press conference to announce its opposition to privatization of toll facilities. ATA has testified before Congress against highway privatization and continues to provide support to our state affiliates who face privatization challenges of their own.