The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) supports a recent report by the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) on funding infrastructure, IBTTA CEO and Executive Director Patrick Jones said.
The report, Transforming Surface Transportation Reauthorization: A 21st Century Approach to Address America’s Greatest Infrastructure Challenge, said the current means of funding the federal Highway Trust Fund is unsustainable.
Outdated federal restrictions on highway tolling have denied to states opportunities to tailor transportation policy, the report said.
The report proposes eliminating these restrictions so states can toll their sections of interstates and proposes eliminating fuel-user taxes and replaces the taxes with a mileage-based user-fee pilot program.
“The Competitive Enterprise Institute’s report calling on Congress to embrace alternative sources of transportation funding like tolling and a mileage-based user fee is a welcome addition to the growing chorus of voices speaking out in support of new ways to invest and fund our nation’s infrastructure,” Jones said.
The nation’s infrastructure averages more than 60 years old. Using a gas tax to fund infrastructure is unsustainable and will result in budget shortfalls, Jones said.
Congress has spent $140 billion bailing out the fund since 2008, according to the report.
IBBTA represents toll facility owners and operators.