State lawmakers are considering bringing tolls back to Connecticut highways.
Connecticut removed tolls decades ago, but the Transportation Committee held a hearing this morning to debate several bills that aim to establish electronic tolls to generate revenue for the state.
One bill calls for a “congestion pricing system” to ease traffic congestion and raise revenue for long-term transportation infrastructure projects, while another calls for establishing electronic tolls to create a source of revenue for the Special Transportation Fund.
There is momentum for tolls after a recent report from the Office of Fiscal Analysis as well as the governor's office that projects the special transportation fund, which pays for road and bridge repairs, would be out of funds in five years.
Supporters said tolls are the best way to collect money from everyone who uses state roads.
"Because, if you raise the gas tax, then more electric and efficient cars will be coming out," State Rep. Tony Guerrera, D, chair of the Transportation Committee, said. "Electronic tolling is the fairest way of doing this."
While there is agreement that Connecticut needs money for roads, opponents of the toll fear unintended economic consequences.
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"So, if you want to give New Yorkers a reason not to shop in Connecticut and not contribute to our sales tax, just put a toll at the border," Stephen Bull, president & CEO if the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, said.
“I don’t think it’s a very good idea. I think we already pay enough taxes, whatever expenses there are. I don’t think we should pay for just driving around,” Lisa Dreher, of East Hartford, said.
The tolls would be similar to the recently modified system in Massachusetts that allow drivers to drive through without stopping and the money raised by Connecticut tolls would go to a special transportation fund.
In Massachusetts, nearly of third of toll collections, around $112 million, came from out-of-state drivers.
“Have some of the people who are traveling the busiest parts of the highways, the parts that need fixing the most, have them contribute as well as the taxpayers here,” Beth Fresa, of Cromwell, said.
Concerns have been raised that the transportation fund could run out in several years.
Some drivers said they’d welcome back tolls if they helped prevent highways from always needing work.
“I drive through New York and the bridges, so it’s not an inconvenience. It’s just every time you look around they are doing highway repairs. So when will it ever end?” Stacey Felder, of East Hartford, said.
The hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Room 2C of the Legislative Office Building.
Lawmakers have not said where the tolls would go if they are approved.
