Part of Interstate 40 Could Become Toll Road
By: Jessica Dean
Updated: March 22, 2012
In the coming years, hitting the road could possibly include a hit to
your wallet.
With federal and state money drying up, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department is considering turning the stretch of Interstate 40 from North Little Rock to Memphis into a toll road and adding another lane.
"We really believe with the amount of needs we have and the lower amount of a revenue coming in, we need to explore all possibilities for funding and financing roads in Arkansas," explained department director, Scott Bennett.
Bennett said the department and its commission is responding to public requests for toll roads as a method of raising money. The project though, is far from speeding along. It's only at the very beginning stages.
"The only thing the commission has approved of is the hiring of a consultant to study feasibility of tolling Interstate 40 between North little rock and Memphis," Bennett said.
We took the issue on the road, asking those who travel I-40 the most what they thought.
Truck driver Fad Robinson said he would love to see improved roads and an additional lane, on one condition.
"As long as they don't charge too much, it's a good idea," Robinson said.
"East coast, toll roads, they expensive, but you can travel," he continued. "That's the main thing, they convenient, you can move right on, go where you wanna go. "
Others didn't agree.
"If they make I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock a toll road, I won't run the interstate," said trucker Don Nealson. "The trucking industry already has to pay enough taxes and everything else. "
The feasibility study should be completed by next summer. Any changes wouldn't be made for several years.
With federal and state money drying up, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department is considering turning the stretch of Interstate 40 from North Little Rock to Memphis into a toll road and adding another lane.
"We really believe with the amount of needs we have and the lower amount of a revenue coming in, we need to explore all possibilities for funding and financing roads in Arkansas," explained department director, Scott Bennett.
Bennett said the department and its commission is responding to public requests for toll roads as a method of raising money. The project though, is far from speeding along. It's only at the very beginning stages.
"The only thing the commission has approved of is the hiring of a consultant to study feasibility of tolling Interstate 40 between North little rock and Memphis," Bennett said.
We took the issue on the road, asking those who travel I-40 the most what they thought.
Truck driver Fad Robinson said he would love to see improved roads and an additional lane, on one condition.
"As long as they don't charge too much, it's a good idea," Robinson said.
"East coast, toll roads, they expensive, but you can travel," he continued. "That's the main thing, they convenient, you can move right on, go where you wanna go. "
Others didn't agree.
"If they make I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock a toll road, I won't run the interstate," said trucker Don Nealson. "The trucking industry already has to pay enough taxes and everything else. "
The feasibility study should be completed by next summer. Any changes wouldn't be made for several years.
Comments
I have no sympathy whatsoever for AHTD when they propose tolling I-40 between NLR and Memphis simply because the Arkansas Legislature decided to give the Arkansas Trucking Association an exemption on the Diesel Tax. Regular vehicles should not have to pay for that luxury. If AHTD is so short of money, they need to do what the rest of us do when budgets are tight, cut back to basic maintenance and stop major new construction projects until they can afford it. Tolls are unacceptable, period!
Damon P.
March 24, 2012 at 5:22 am
I have no sympathy whatsoever for AHTD when they propose tolling I-40 between NLR and Memphis simply because the Arkansas Legislature decided to give the Arkansas Trucking Association an exemption on the Diesel Tax. Regular vehicles should not have to pay for that luxury. If AHTD is so short of money, they need to do what the rest of us do when budgets are tight, cut back to basic maintenance and stop major new construction projects until they can afford it. Tolls are unacceptable, period!
Damon P.
March 24, 2012 at 5:22 am
This is a great idea, but it makes no sense to limit it to just the I-40 east of Little Rock. If they toll any of the state's freeways, they need to toll ALL of them. Of course, the trucking industry HATES this idea but the days of trucking companies calling the shots on transportation policy will soon come to an end as the price of gas continues to rise.
David D.
March 23, 2012 at 12:28 am
