OOIDA Information Update - Indiana Members
December 14, 2005

The Indiana Department of Transportation is expected to schedule two public hearings in early 2006 to discuss a proposed toll hike on the Indiana Toll Road. In the meantime, public comments are encouraged.

A highway plan unveiled early this fall by Gov. Mitch Daniels calls for increasing fees on the toll route by 72 percent for cars and 120 percent for large trucks.

The governor's plan, dubbed "Major Moves," also could lead to tolls being used to extend Interstate 69 from Indianapolis to Evansville.

As part of his 10-year, $10.6 billion statewide highway construction plan, Daniels brought up the possibility of leasing the Toll Road and an extended I-69 to a private group, which would keep the tolls in exchange for operating and maintaining the roadways.

Any leasing plans would require approval from the Indiana General Assembly.

The administration plans to increase fees on the Toll Road on its own beginning this spring. The revenue would be used to maintain the road and fund other highway work.

Daniels said toll rates have not increased since 1985 and could no longer meet maintenance needs.

Under the plan, increases on the Toll Road would vary by distance driven. The toll for passenger vehicles traveling the entire 157-mile route would rise from $4.65 to $8. Tractor-trailer rates for driving the same distance would increase from $14.55 to $32.

The toll increases would generate an estimated $770 million in 10 years.

Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said Indiana truckers should demand a credit for fuel taxes paid on toll road miles.

"When you talk about more than doubling the toll rate set for vehicles operating on that road, you're talking about a tremendous increase that most people would concur would be really hard to swallow," Spencer said. "At a minimum, truckers should be urging state officials to approve allowing them to take a credit on their fuel taxes for miles run on the toll road."

The governor is seeking higher tolls in part because he said he would not support a hike in the state's per-gallon taxes on gasoline and diesel to pay for roadwork.

Until the hearings early next year, public comments on the proposal may be submitted to INDOT by mail to:

Chris Kiefer
Indiana Department of Transportation
100 N Senate Ave, Room N758
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Comments also can be sent via e-mail to ckiefer@indot.state.in.us, or by fax to (317) 232-0238.