In the News
Courier News, July 2, 2007
Tollway officials are embarking on an 18-month study to explore congestion-based variable pricing on the tollways based upon the time of day and day of the week motorists drive.
The study also will look at the controversial idea of expanding the tollway system to include other nontoll-paying highways in the region.
Joelle McGinnis, press secretary for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, said the study will look at a variety of variable pricing options based on the day of the week, rush hour vs. nonrush hour periods, type of vehicle (truck vs. car), or cash vs. electronic collection.
"Anything and everything will be studied," McGinnis said. "No one solution has been identified for pricing. We're looking at many different options."
Much of the study's focus will be on congestion pricing, a system that targets motorists who drive during peak rush hour times. They would pay higher tolls than those who drive during nonpeak periods. With congestion pricing, drivers also may pay different tolls on weekdays than on weekends.
A variable congestion pricing system likely would help raise more money for upgrades to the tollway system. However, tollway officials say the main focus is on alleviating congestion by encouraging motorists to drive at less busy times of the day or to use alternatives such as public transportation.
"It's not a revenue issue. It's a congestion-relief issue. It's about moving traffic more effectively through our transportation system," McGinnis said.
McGinnis noted that already there is some variable pricing on the tollways, pointing out that trucks typically pay higher tolls during rush hour periods, and cash-paying users of the tollways pay more than I-Pass users.
"It's a requisite that the implementation of congestion pricing be coupled with an increase in transit services," said Peter Skosey, vice president of external relations for the Metropolitan Planning Council, which is partnering with the tollway on the study. "You have to give people choices."
One of the more controversial ideas would be the possibility of expanding the tollway system to freeways in the region, such as the Kennedy, Stevenson, Edens and Eisenhower expressways, and possibly even some major state arterial routes.
Such a plan likely would meet with substantial opposition from residents and state lawmakers.
"I think there would be an incredible backlash from drivers if they placed tolls on expressways like the Kennedy and the Edens," said state Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest. "The taxpayers have paid for these roads already. There's no justification for having people pay tolls on them."
Skosey emphasized the idea of expanding the tollways to include other roads is just a concept at this point, but it may be one way to help fund needed capital improvements to the area's highway system. He noted that gas tax revenues, which in the past have been the major source of funding for highway improvements, have been declining in real dollars with the advent of more fuel-efficient vehicles. McGinnis said the $937,500 tollway study is being funded primarily by a $750,000 federal grant, with the tollway footing the rest of the cost. She noted that the study simply is exploring different options at this point, and no decisions will be made until after the study is complete.