1/24/05-A bill offered by Rep. William Miles, D-Fulton, would create tolls along some roads and bridges in the state.
HB283 authorizes the Mississippi Transportation Commission, county boards of supervisors and city officials to contract with private industry to construct roads and bridges and collect tolls to pay off the work.
The bill doesn’t spell out specific toll charges. That would be determined by MDOT.
The proposal requires 20 percent of a county’s electorate or 1,500 voters, whichever is less, to call for a referendum on any project.
It also mandates that alternative routes be available so drivers can avoid paying the tolls. Once the bonds for the project are paid off, the toll would be removed.
HB283 is in the House Transportation and Ways and Means committees. For bill status, call (601) 359-3719.
A similar bill – SB2462 – is in the Senate Highways and Transportation and Finance committees.