Toll Roads

AASHTO is closely monitoring the response by state departments of transportation to this crisis. The situation is fluid and changes can occur at any time.

Updated May 12, 2020

• The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission noted on May 5 that the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed commuting patterns in Northern Virginia, leading to a drop-off in toll revenues that support the Commuter Choice program, which allocates funding for projects expected to reduce traffic congestion: http://www.novatransit.org/uploads/MediaReleases/NVTCMediaRelease05052020.pdf
• On May 1, the main P3 contractor tasked with building the Purple Line subway extension for the Maryland DOT issued a letter seeking to withdraw from the project in part due to the impact of COVID-19: https://purplelineconstructors.com/app/uploads/2020/05/PLTC-PLTP-L-1089-PLTC-Notice-of-Unconditional-Election-to-Terminate-DB-Contract_A.pdf
• On April 22 the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved using up to $300 million in cash reserves to pay down some of its debt and establishing a line of credit of up to $400 million; moves directly related to the drop in toll revenue since the start of the health emergency, a decline that reached nearly 50% for the last week of March compared to the previous year: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/04/22/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-COVID-19-300-million-debt-payments-400-million-line-credit/stories/202004220152
• On April 10, the Illinois Tollway said that, at the moment, it is still planning to move forward with its $1.46 billion road work program in 2020; an agenda includes $446.9 million toward widening the Central Tri-State Tollway and $559.6 million for planning and extending I-390 (formerly the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway) east: https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200413/tollway-losing-millions-with-traffic-drop-but-not-ready-to-curtail-construction
• Comments by Maryland state officials and legislators in an April 7 story indicate that the end may be nigh for cash toll payments: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/04/03/keep-the-change-the-end-of-cash-tolling-is-inevitable/
• State DOTs with toll road responsibilities are suspending cash & credit card payment options to reduce exposure risk for toll booth operators. In Louisiana the toll agency is offering motorists electronic toll devices at no cost: http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=22588. In Pennsylvania, EZ Pass and toll-by-plate will only be used: https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2020/20200316132828.htm
• As of March 19, the Florida DOT said Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise will temporarily not accept cash as a form of payment for tolls. Tolls will still be required, but they will be collected through all-electronic processes. The agency has also temporarily closed customer walk-in centers: https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/info/co/news/newsreleases/03192020-temporary-cash-toll-suspension-final.pdf?sfvrsn=b9c2a8b9_2