Tolls Harm Businesses

Tolling Alabama businesses, truckers and commuters will increase the cost of moving goods throughout the supply chain, weaken the competitiveness of our home state and raise prices on consumers. Communities and businesses that rely on the free stream of people and goods, such as restaurants and motels, will be negatively affected first and foremost. As tolls become permanent, nearly all Mobile businesses will face tough choices about new shipping costs and travel times.

Businesses need certainty to succeed. When it comes to the costs and pricing of tolls, no one is ever certain. Did you know?

Rhode Island’s planned tolls came in over budget by $43 million. In June 2017, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced it had “finalized a $68.9 million contract with Austrian company Kapsch Traffic Com IVHS Inc. [sic] The state originally put the toll network at $25 million over the span of 10 years.” - [Washington Times]

The National Cooperative Highway Research Program has stated there is “no standardization in the toll road demand and revenue modeling and forecasting processes.” - [NCHRP]

The Pennsylvania Turnpike plans to increase its toll every year until at least 2044. - [Tribune Review]

When tolls are slapped on to the Mobile River Bridge and the George C. Wallace Tunnel, Mobile-area businesses will incur burdensome new costs. As a result, prices will increase and revenue will decrease; hurting Alabama’s economy.