Tag: Tolls

WVDOT Secretary Says Congress Should Raise Federal Gas Tax

Most states, including West Virginia, have raised their own gas taxes instead. Others have opted for tolls or public-private partnerships.

West Virginia’s transportation secretary says federal leaders should take a hard look at raising the gas tax.

Every time you fill up your tank, you pay an 18.4-cents-per-gallon federal tax. That rate was set during the Clinton administration.

Since then, the spending power of the tax’s revenue has eroded to inflation. That means fewer federal dollars are available from a tax intended to help build and maintain roads, bridges and transit systems.

Most states, including West Virginia, have raised their own gas taxes instead. Others have opted for tolls or public-private partnerships.

But Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston told state lawmakers on Monday that, in his opinion, Washington needs to act.

“The answer is simple, the political will, the political strength to increase the federal gas tax, and we as people have to support that if we want the infrastructure that we have,” he told the Joint Oversight Committee on Department of Transportation Accountability.

It would be up to Congress. If the 1993 tax had been indexed to inflation, it would be roughly 40.7 cents today.

West Virginia’s gas tax is about 36 cents a gallon.

More EZPass Lanes Coming To West Virginia Turnpike Next Year

Jeff Miller, executive director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority, told state lawmakers Tuesday that the system is getting its first upgrade since 2008.

Changes are coming to the West Virginia Turnpike’s toll collection system.

Starting early next year, more EZPass lanes will be available at the West Virginia Turnpike’s toll plazas. 

Jeff Miller, executive director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority, told state lawmakers Tuesday that the system is getting its first upgrade since 2008. The new system can change lanes to EZPass only, depending on traffic volumes.

Among other changes, Miller said the North Beckley toll plaza will go cashless. Drivers will either have to have an EZPass account and transponder, or they will be mailed a bill based on their license plate.

Miller said the EZPass capture rate has doubled in six years to about 70 percent.

“(In) 2017, that was at 34 percent, so we’ve almost doubled the amount of EZPass transactions that we have,” Miller said.

Not only does EZPass help reduce congestion at toll plazas, especially in the summer and around holidays, Miller said, it also helps alleviate staffing issues. It’s become harder to recruit toll collectors, he said.

West Virginia Parkways Toll Hike Given Initial OK

The West Virginia Parkways Authority has given initial approval to a plan to double the single tolls on the turnpike and create a flat-fee discount program.

The Register-Herald in Beckley reports the authority voted unanimously on the resolution Thursday.

Parkways General Manager Greg Barr said public meetings on the issue are planned in May, though locations and times haven’t been announced. The measure will come up for final consideration in June.

Tolls currently are $2 for passenger cars and $1.30 for those with an in-state E-ZPass.

Under the proposed fee structure, drivers would pay a one-time discounted rate of $24 for a three-year “subscription” for unlimited turnpike use. On Jan. 1, the cash rate increase would take effect along with a $25 annual E-ZPass fee for anyone who didn’t sign up for a subscription.

Parkways Board Wants Legislature to Keep Tolls on W.Va. Turnpike

Members of the West Virginia Parkways Authority are supporting the continuation of tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike, doubling down on a resolution to that effect passed in January.

The tolls are set to expire in May of 2019, when the bonds on the road’s construction will be paid off.

In January, the authority approved a resolution asking lawmakers to keep the tolls after 2019. The resolution passed Thursday reminding lawmakers and the general public of that position — asking lawmakers to continue the tolls, which bring in $90 million of new revenue to the state each year.

The authority says that if the tolls are eliminated, the state risks being able to continue to pay for the road’s operation and upkeep and the 360 full and part-time jobs supported by the revenue.

“If tolls are eliminated, the WV Division of Highways will be required to maintain the turnpike, free of tolls, at an annual estimated cost of $60 million per year with no additional federal dollars to replace the loss of toll revenue,” Parkways General Manager Greg Barr said in a written statement Friday.

The Parkways Authority currently receives no state or federal funding to support maintenance or operational costs of the West Virginia Turnpike.

Seventy-six percent of the income made from tolls come from out-of-state residents.

This story was changed on Dec. 12, 2016, to correct the West Virginia Parkways Authority’s previous position on the continuation of tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike.

Toll Revenue Up on W.Va. Turnpike

Traffic on the West Virginia Turnpike has hit a high for the year.

The Register-Herald reports the Parkways Authority collected more than $8 million in June. That’s the most revenue for that month in a four-year period.

For the year, toll revenues are up 1.4 percent so far. Toll revenues decreased to a low of $6.5 million in February due to winter weather.

The authority also reported Thursday that sales at Tamarack decreased 10 percent in June. Last year’s total sales were $6.4 million, and sales for each month this year have lagged behind last year’s numbers. 

Exit mobile version