Anti-Tolling Coalition Criticizes Administration's Call for Privatizing Infrastructure

The Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates, of which NATSO is a founding member, criticized President Trump's call for privatizing America's infrastructure, following remarks made June 7 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
More
 

The Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates, of which NATSO is a founding member, criticized President Trump's call for privatizing America's infrastructure, following remarks made June 7 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"When President Trump spoke today about ‘private dollars’ in infrastructure, specifically relating to surface transportation, he is talking about tolls," ATFI said in a statement. "Tolls will not fill our infrastructure deficit because tolls rob everyday drivers to line the pockets of Wall Street and international investors. Tolls should be removed from any discussion of responsibly fixing our country’s ailing roads and bridges.”

During a speech along the Ohio River, President Trump repeated his desire to leverage $1 trillion in state, local and private investment for infrastructure, with just $200 billion in direct federal funding.

The President did not unveil new details of his infrastructure plan, however, the Administration’s recent budget proposal called for liberalizing tolling policy and commercializing Interstate rest areas, both of which NATSO strongly opposes.

During his June 7 speech, President Trump said the government should allow state and local governments to succeed at meeting their unique challenges and that infrastructure funds should be matched by private dollars.

Just one-fifth of infrastructure spending comes from the Federal Government, with the vast majority coming from states, localities and the private sector, the President said.

NATSO has long-advocated for sustainable infrastructure funding, including increasing the motor fuels tax. Tolls and commercial rest areas threaten the private businesses that serve highway travelers, including the truckstops, convenience stores, hotels and restaurants that serve highway travelers.

Subscribe to Updates

NATSO provides a breadth of information created to strengthen travel plazas’ ability to meet the needs of the travelling public in an age of disruption. This includes knowledge filled blog posts, articles and publications. If you would like to receive a digest of blog post and articles directly in your inbox, please provide your name, email and the frequency of the updates you want to receive the email digest.