Thinking About the Future of the Highway Program

As the Interstate Highway System celebrates its 50th anniversary, this article takes note of two emerging trends—the growing acceptance of tolls and variable road pricing, and the private sector’s willingness to finance, construct and operate toll roads. The author suggests that for the immediate and near future, tolls are the most practical and logical ways to supplement the gas tax, in order to develop, finance and operate new highway facilities. In the long term, a mileage-based tax may replace the fuel tax. The article describes the advantages of tolls and their growing importance. It also describes how cash-strapped states are making use of private capital to finance highway infrastructure by entering into partnerships with private companies to build new toll roads or add new toll lanes. The article also briefly describes highway privatization in Europe.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/1071393X
• Publication Date: 2006-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: 2p
• Serial:
  • Innovation Briefs
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Urban Mobility Corporation
  • ISSN: 1071-393X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concessions; Finance; Highways; Public private partnerships; Tolls; Transportation policy
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Policy;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01024920
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 2006 7:55AM