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Fiscal Year 2012 Report to Congress on the Express Lanes Demonstration ProgramPrintable Version (PDF 615KB)
June 27, 2012 The Honorable Barbara Boxer Dear Madam Chairman: This letter constitutes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 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 ELDP were executed between FHWA and two States. A total of approximately $1.75 billion in Federal-aid highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program, along with over $2.1 billion in loans provided under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act will be spent to support the development and operation of these facilities. With the extension of SAFETEA-LU after September 30, 2009, the ELDP continues to be available to States as a way to gain tolling authority, and FHWA continues to promote its application and use. The enclosed table lists the five current and one pending applications to the ELDP. Thus far in FY 2012, no new toll agreements have been signed under the program. However, over the past year, the State of Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation) applied to the ELDP to reserve one of the ten available slots for tolling authority for an express lane project along I-75 northwest of Atlanta. The application for this project was conditionally approved on May 23, 2011, pending completion and approval of all environmental requirements for the I-75 Northwest project. Once the application is fully approved, the State can then begin work with FHWA to prepare and finalize the statutory requirements to receive a tolling agreement for the project. A similar application is being made by the State of Georgia to reserve another available ELDP slot for an express lanes project along I-75 in the southwest portion of the Atlanta area. The current application document is under review. The U.S. Department of Transportation remains focused and committed to addressing traffic congestion 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 Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. If I can provide additional information or assistance, please feel free to call me. Sincerely yours, Original signed by: Ray LaHood Enclosure
June 27, 2012 The Honorable John L. Mica Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter constitutes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 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 ELDP were executed between FHWA and two States. A total of approximately $1.75 billion in Federal-aid highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program, along with over $2.1 billion in loans provided under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act will be spent to support the development and operation of these facilities. With the extension of SAFETEA-LU after September 30, 2009, the ELDP continues to be available to States as a way to gain tolling authority, and FHWA continues to promote its application and use. The enclosed table lists the five current and one pending applications to the ELDP. Thus far in FY 2012, no new toll agreements have been signed under the program. However, over the past year, the State of Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation) applied to the ELDP to reserve one of the ten available slots for tolling authority for an express lane project along I-75 northwest of Atlanta. The application for this project was conditionally approved on May 23, 2011, pending completion and approval of all environmental requirements for the I-75 Northwest project. Once the application is fully approved, the State can then begin work with FHWA to prepare and finalize the statutory requirements to receive a tolling agreement for the project. A similar application is being made by the State of Georgia to reserve another available ELDP slot for an express lanes project along I-75 in the southwest portion of the Atlanta area. The current application document is under review. The U.S. Department of Transportation remains focused and committed to addressing traffic congestion 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
June 27, 2012 The Honorable Nick J. Rahall, II Dear Congressman Rahall: This letter constitutes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 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 ELDP were executed between FHWA and two States. A total of approximately $1.75 billion in Federal-aid highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program, along with over $2.1 billion in loans provided under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act will be spent to support the development and operation of these facilities. With the extension of SAFETEA-LU after September 30, 2009, the ELDP continues to be available to States as a way to gain tolling authority, and FHWA continues to promote its application and use. The enclosed table lists the five current and one pending applications to the ELDP. Thus far in FY 2012, no new toll agreements have been signed under the program. However, over the past year, the State of Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation) applied to the ELDP to reserve one of the ten available slots for tolling authority for an express lane project along I-75 northwest of Atlanta. The application for this project was conditionally approved on May 23, 2011, pending completion and approval of all environmental requirements for the I-75 Northwest project. Once the application is fully approved, the State can then begin work with FHWA to prepare and finalize the statutory requirements to receive a tolling agreement for the project. A similar application is being made by the State of Georgia to reserve another available ELDP slot for an express lanes project along I-75 in the southwest portion of the Atlanta area. The current application document is under review. The U.S. Department of Transportation remains focused and committed to addressing traffic congestion 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 Chairman 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
June 27, 2012 The Honorable James M. Inhofe Dear Senator Inhofe: This letter constitutes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 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 ELDP were executed between FHWA and two States. A total of approximately $1.75 billion in Federal-aid highway funds, such as through the National Highway System Program, along with over $2.1 billion in loans provided under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act will be spent to support the development and operation of these facilities. With the extension of SAFETEA-LU after September 30, 2009, the ELDP continues to be available to States as a way to gain tolling authority, and FHWA continues to promote its application and use. The enclosed table lists the five current and one pending applications to the ELDP. Thus far in FY 2012, no new toll agreements have been signed under the program. However, over the past year, the State of Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation) applied to the ELDP to reserve one of the ten available slots for tolling authority for an express lane project along I-75 northwest of Atlanta. The application for this project was conditionally approved on May 23, 2011, pending completion and approval of all environmental requirements for the I-75 Northwest project. Once the application is fully approved, the State can then begin work with FHWA to prepare and finalize the statutory requirements to receive a tolling agreement for the project. A similar application is being made by the State of Georgia to reserve another available ELDP slot for an express lanes project along I-75 in the southwest portion of the Atlanta area. The current application document is under review. The U.S. Department of Transportation remains focused and committed to addressing traffic congestion 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 Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 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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