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CTDOT Releases Report on All-Electronic Tolling

          The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today released documents showing that, should the General Assembly and new Governor approve, Connecticut could raise approximately $1 billion annually with all-electronic tolling on highways around the state.

          “The report we are releasing today is designed to inform a dialogue among our elected leaders and the citizens of Connecticut about the potential for instituting tolls in the state,” said CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “Governor Malloy’s Transportation Finance Panel concluded that current revenues are insufficient to maintain our roads and bridges or to remove traffic bottlenecks and reduce congestion and recommended tolls as one way of generating new revenue.”

          The study documents released today are in advance of an anticipated in-depth operational, environmental and engineering analysis for an all-electronic toll system, for which the State Bond Commission recently approved $10 million.

          The study examined options for implementing tolls in CT that would help pay for needed transportation infrastructure improvements.  It demonstrated that a statewide all-electronic tolling system on limited access highways could raise substantial revenue with low rates for Connecticut drivers who would be offered a discount for using a Connecticut-issued E-Z Pass plus a commuter discount if they use the highways frequently.  Without a Connecticut E-Z Pass, out-of-state drivers would pay more. As a result, it is estimated that about 40 percent of toll revenue would come from out-of-state cars and trucks.   

          For purposes of discussion, toll rates were developed that might be as low as 3.5 cents per mile for a frequent, off-peak car driver with a Connecticut E-Z Pass.  The average trip made by a Connecticut driver on limited access highways is 12 miles. With discounts, a 12-mile toll trip would be 42 cents off-peak and 53 cents during peak hours. Charging higher rates during peak traffic periods and lower rates in the off-peak will help reduce congestion during the peak period.

          The full report can be found here. An Executive Summary can be found here and a Fact Sheet about tolls can be found here.