The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) recognized emovis, operator of all-electronic tolling infrastructures in four countries, with the IBTTA 2018 Toll Excellence Award for “Private Sector Innovation” for the New Mersey Gateway Bridge project in Cheshire, England.
The award honors projects, innovations, and solutions in the international tolling industry. It is intended to promote new ideas and emerging practices for the benefit of drivers worldwide.
“emovis continues to be a private sector leader in our industry for their implementation of innovative practices promoting greater mobility for drivers,” Patrick Jones, IBTTA executive director and CEO, said. “We congratulate emovis on this well-deserved recognition.”
The project provides Cheshire with funds to revamp the aging Silver Jubilee Bridge that is approaching 10 times its intended traffic capacity. Cheshire wanted to add a second bridge, costing $800 million, but was denied federal funding. The responsibility fell to the surrounding community of 125,000, which has an annual budget of just over $130 million.
To fund the necessary new bridge, the community overwhelmingly supported the decision to add tolling to the existing bridge and to the new one, which will generate enough revenue to fund the project and cover operating costs, according to traffic models.
emovis is owned by Abertis, the world’s leader in highway concessions.