Politics these days often preclude increased taxes and increased budgetary appropriations for roads. Again and again in statewide and county ballots voters reject proposals for increased taxes for transportation. Yet there are enormous unmet needs for improved highways, as evidenced by growing congestion in urban areas, and deteriorated pavement and dangerous bridges on the rural highways. Facilities built with investor funds or bonds secured to the prospect of a revenue stream from tolls may be the only answer. The real world is always messier than our dreams.
Progress comes more slowly and only after many struggles.
There is resistance to change, and to get it compromises sometimes have to be made. But tolling is a key to improved transportation and mobility and that it will make for a dynamic and interesting industry. The technology is available, the need is apparent, and we are gathering courage through experimentation. Leaping beyond limited current and timid experiments, Wilfred Owen has asked when we will consider tolling the Interstate system. I cannot answer that, but I do see in that bold stroke relief to state and federal treasuries, a vast new arena for applying new technologies, economic growth for the construction industry as the system is upgraded for heavier and more frequent commercial vehicles, and a huge new potential market for private finance.