Stillwater News Press
Sen. Jim Halligan (R) Stillwater - Letter from a Legislator
Revenue shortfalls boost tolls on Oklahoma’s turnpikes
The
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority last month approved a toll increase
averaging 16 percent to be implemented into the statewide system this
month.
This marks the first increase since January, 2001.
Under better circumstances, fees would likely have remained at their
previous level, but substantial revenue shortfalls have forced the
agency to compensate with toll increases.
For rural turnpikes,
the toll increase will bring the per-mile rates for passenger vehicles
and commercial vehicles to approximately $.052 per mile and $.182 per
mile, respectively.
For urban turnpikes, this increase will
bring the per mile rates for passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles
to approximately $.086 per mile and $.284 per mile, respectively. These
rates are still approximately 30 percent below the national average.
Typically,
toll rates are determined on a rate-per-mile basis. Since they cost
substantially more to construct and maintain, urban facilities’ rates
per mile are higher than those for rural facilities.
While no
one is enthusiastic about increasing tolls in the midst of an economic
downturn, the increases are necessary both for routine turnpike
operations and the preservation of Oklahoma’s good credit rating.
Despite
the increases, Oklahoma’s turnpikes remain a bargain, with rates
ranking well below the national average for toll roads.
With
nearly 70,000 square miles of land and many vast expanses of open
prairie and forest, ours is a state with great infrastructural demands.
With a limited tax base, turnpikes have provided the state a way to
build roads to meet transportation demands.
Currently, the
Oklahoma Turnpike System consists of two urban and eight rural
turnpikes with a total of 606 miles. If the system was to be built
today, it would cost over $10 billion.
The Turnpike Authority
receives no state appropriations, and turnpike revenues are used to pay
all operating and maintenance costs while paying off the bonds issued
to finance their construction.
Additionally, nearly half of Oklahoma’s total toll income is derived from out-of state automobiles or trucks.
With
respect to our state’s unique transportation needs, turnpikes have been
a wise public policy choice. These increases were necessary both for
the basic maintenance needs of Oklahoma’s turnpike and for continuing
repairs to our turnpikes.
As always, I welcome your thoughts
and concerns regarding state government. You may contact my office at
405-521-5572 or halligan@oksenate.gov.
Sen. Jim Halligan
Stillwater
Posted on
Wed, August 19, 2009
by Crystal Drwenski