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Fiscal Year 2011 Report to Congress on the Express Lanes Demonstration ProgramPrintable Version (PDF 1.7MB)
August 4, 2011 The Honorable John L. Mica Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter constitutes the Fiscal Year 2011 Report to Congress on the Express Lanes Demonstration Program (ELDP) in accordance with the requirements of Section 1604(b) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59. Section 1604(b) of SAFETEA-LU requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report annually to Congress. With the passage of SAFETEA-LU, the Federal-aid highway program offered States and other public entities enhanced opportunities for tolling motor vehicles to finance Interstate facility construction and reconstruction, promote efficiency in the use of highways, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality. In furtherance of the goals of SAFETEA-LU, ELDP permits tolling on selected facilities for any of the following reasons:
Section 1604(b) also authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out 15 demonstration projects under ELDP. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that a demonstration project may include more than one facility so long as such facilities meet any of the criteria listed above. There is no Federal funding specifically authorized for ELDP. Regular Federal-aid highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program or the Surface Transportation Program, may be used, subject to the normal eligibility requirements for these funds. The ELDP permits tolling on any newly-constructed Interstate facilities or non-Interstate lanes, and existing Interstate or non-Interstate high occupancy vehicle facilities. In addition, existing Interstate or non-Interstate facilities that are modified or constructed to create toll lanes are eligible to collect tolls on the entire facility. In 2009, five toll agreements under the ELDP were executed between FHWA and two States. A total of approximately $1.9 billion in Federal-aid Highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program, along with over $2.1 billion in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans will be spent to support the development and operation of these facilities. The enclosed table lists the five current tolling agreements under the ELDP. With the extension of SAFETEA-LU after September 30, 2009, ELDP continues to be available to States as a way to gain tolling authority, and FHWA continues to promote its application and use. Thus far in Fiscal Year 2011, no new toll agreements have been signed under the program. However, the States of Georgia and Texas have made requests for tolling authority under ELDP over the past year. The Georgia Department of Transportation made a request for a managed lane project along I-75 northwest of Atlanta, and the Texas Department of Transportation made a request for a priced and managed lane project in El Paso. Both applications are currently under review. The U.S. Department of Transportation remains focused and committed to addressing traffic congestion problems throughout the Nation. The Department continues to provide information, guidance, and coordinated and comprehensive tolling and pricing programs to the States and an increasing number of other stakeholders. A similar letter has been sent to the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If I can provide additional information or assistance, please feel free to call me. Sincerely yours, Original signed by: Ray LaHood Enclosure
August 4, 2011 The Honorable Nick J. Rahall, II Dear Congressman Rahall: This letter constitutes the Fiscal Year 2011 Report to Congress on the Express Lanes Demonstration Program (ELDP) in accordance with the requirements of Section 1604(b) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59. Section 1604(b) of SAFETEA-LU requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report annually to Congress. With the passage of SAFETEA-LU, the Federal-aid highway program offered States and other public entities enhanced opportunities for tolling motor vehicles to finance Interstate facility construction and reconstruction, promote efficiency in the use of highways, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality. In furtherance of the goals of SAFETEA-LU, ELDP permits tolling on selected facilities for any of the following reasons:
Section 1604(b) also authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out 15 demonstration projects under ELDP. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that a demonstration project may include more than one facility so long as such facilities meet any of the criteria listed above. There is no Federal funding specifically authorized for ELDP. Regular Federal-aid highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program or the Surface Transportation Program, may be used, subject to the normal eligibility requirements for these funds. The ELDP permits tolling on any newly-constructed Interstate facilities or non-Interstate lanes, and existing Interstate or non-Interstate high occupancy vehicle facilities. In addition, existing Interstate or non-Interstate facilities that are modified or constructed to create toll lanes are eligible to collect tolls on the entire facility. In 2009, five toll agreements under the ELDP were executed between FHWA and two States. A total of approximately $1.9 billion in Federal-aid Highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program, along with over $2.1 billion in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans will be spent to support the development and operation of these facilities. The enclosed table lists the five current tolling agreements under the ELDP. With the extension of SAFETEA-LU after September 30, 2009, ELDP continues to be available to States as a way to gain tolling authority, and FHWA continues to promote its application and use. Thus far in Fiscal Year 2011, no new toll agreements have been signed under the program. However, the States of Georgia and Texas have made requests for tolling authority under ELDP over the past year. The Georgia Department of Transportation made a request for a managed lane project along I-75 northwest of Atlanta, and the Texas Department of Transportation made a request for a priced and managed lane project in El Paso. Both applications are currently under review. The U.S. Department of Transportation remains focused and committed to addressing traffic congestion problems throughout the Nation. The Department continues to provide information, guidance, and coordinated and comprehensive tolling and pricing programs to the States and an increasing number of other stakeholders. A similar letter has been sent to the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If I can provide additional information or assistance, please feel free to call me. Sincerely yours, Original signed by: Ray LaHood Enclosure
August 4, 2011 The Honorable Barbara Boxer Dear Madam Chairman: This letter constitutes the Fiscal Year 2011 Report to Congress on the Express Lanes Demonstration Program (ELDP) in accordance with the requirements of Section 1604(b) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59. Section 1604(b) of SAFETEA-LU requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report annually to Congress. With the passage of SAFETEA-LU, the Federal-aid highway program offered States and other public entities enhanced opportunities for tolling motor vehicles to finance Interstate facility construction and reconstruction, promote efficiency in the use of highways, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality. In furtherance of the goals of SAFETEA-LU, ELDP permits tolling on selected facilities for any of the following reasons:
Section 1604(b) also authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out 15 demonstration projects under ELDP. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that a demonstration project may include more than one facility so long as such facilities meet any of the criteria listed above. There is no Federal funding specifically authorized for ELDP. Regular Federal-aid highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program or the Surface Transportation Program, may be used, subject to the normal eligibility requirements for these funds. The ELDP permits tolling on any newly-constructed Interstate facilities or non-Interstate lanes, and existing Interstate or non-Interstate high occupancy vehicle facilities. In addition, existing Interstate or non-Interstate facilities that are modified or constructed to create toll lanes are eligible to collect tolls on the entire facility. In 2009, five toll agreements under the ELDP were executed between FHWA and two States. A total of approximately $1.9 billion in Federal-aid Highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program, along with over $2.1 billion in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans will be spent to support the development and operation of these facilities. The enclosed table lists the five current tolling agreements under the ELDP. With the extension of SAFETEA-LU after September 30, 2009, ELDP continues to be available to States as a way to gain tolling authority, and FHWA continues to promote its application and use. Thus far in Fiscal Year 2011, no new toll agreements have been signed under the program. However, the States of Georgia and Texas have made requests for tolling authority under ELDP over the past year. The Georgia Department of Transportation made a request for a managed lane project along I-75 northwest of Atlanta, and the Texas Department of Transportation made a request for a priced and managed lane project in El Paso. Both applications are currently under review. The U.S. Department of Transportation remains focused and committed to addressing traffic congestion problems throughout the Nation. The Department continues to provide information, guidance, and coordinated and comprehensive tolling and pricing programs to the States and an increasing number of other stakeholders. A similar letter has been sent to the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If I can provide additional information or assistance, please feel free to call me. Sincerely yours, Original signed by: Ray LaHood Enclosure
August 4, 2011 The Honorable James M. Inhofe Dear Senator Inhofe: This letter constitutes the Fiscal Year 2011 Report to Congress on the Express Lanes Demonstration Program (ELDP) in accordance with the requirements of Section 1604(b) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59. Section 1604(b) of SAFETEA-LU requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report annually to Congress. With the passage of SAFETEA-LU, the Federal-aid highway program offered States and other public entities enhanced opportunities for tolling motor vehicles to finance Interstate facility construction and reconstruction, promote efficiency in the use of highways, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality. In furtherance of the goals of SAFETEA-LU, ELDP permits tolling on selected facilities for any of the following reasons:
Section 1604(b) also authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out 15 demonstration projects under ELDP. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that a demonstration project may include more than one facility so long as such facilities meet any of the criteria listed above. There is no Federal funding specifically authorized for ELDP. Regular Federal-aid highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program or the Surface Transportation Program, may be used, subject to the normal eligibility requirements for these funds. The ELDP permits tolling on any newly-constructed Interstate facilities or non-Interstate lanes, and existing Interstate or non-Interstate high occupancy vehicle facilities. In addition, existing Interstate or non-Interstate facilities that are modified or constructed to create toll lanes are eligible to collect tolls on the entire facility. In 2009, five toll agreements under the ELDP were executed between FHWA and two States. A total of approximately $1.9 billion in Federal-aid Highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program, along with over $2.1 billion in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans will be spent to support the development and operation of these facilities. The enclosed table lists the five current tolling agreements under the ELDP. With the extension of SAFETEA-LU after September 30, 2009, ELDP continues to be available to States as a way to gain tolling authority, and FHWA continues to promote its application and use. Thus far in Fiscal Year 2011, no new toll agreements have been signed under the program. However, the States of Georgia and Texas have made requests for tolling authority under ELDP over the past year. The Georgia Department of Transportation made a request for a managed lane project along I-75 northwest of Atlanta, and the Texas Department of Transportation made a request for a priced and managed lane project in El Paso. Both applications are currently under review. The U.S. Department of Transportation remains focused and committed to addressing traffic congestion problems throughout the Nation. The Department continues to provide information, guidance, and coordinated and comprehensive tolling and pricing programs to the States and an increasing number of other stakeholders. A similar letter has been sent to the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If I can provide additional information or assistance, please feel free to call me. Sincerely yours, Original signed by: Ray LaHood Enclosure
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United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration |
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