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Despite her vote, HB-6818, An Act Concerning the Establishment of Electronic Tolls at the State's Borders, passed the legislature’s Transportation Committee.
“The proposed legislation does not eliminate the possibility of border tolls, which could still negatively impact Danbury,” Giegler said. “Connecticut has a history of not adequately funding its highway and bridge infrastructure and previous attempts to fund these improvements through the Special Transportation Fund, gas taxes and a ‘lock box’ have been unsuccessful. Dedicated funds have consistently been raided to balance the state budget.”
Although the governor signed “lock box” legislation into law in July 2013, $118 million was removed from the fund in its first year.
The bill, voted on March 18, was altered with substitute language eliminating the establishment of just electronic tolls. The bill now opens up the possibility of tolls being installed on any state highway.
The bill requires the commissioner of transportation to develop a program to implement tolls with a plan for revenue, capital cost, operating and maintenance cost and net revenue, implementation schedule, pricing alternatives, effects of capacity, congestion and diversion to other roads.
The Department of Transportation will also be required to look at the impact on in-state and out-of-state vehicles, the impact on highway users and alternatives for toll administration. The program would be due by Jan. 1, 2016, for consideration of the legislature.
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