1. Rebuilding Rhode Island’s Aging Bridges with Truck Tolling
Ed Regan
Senior Vice President
Rebuilding Rhode Island’s Aging Bridges with Truck Tolling
The RhodeWorks Bridge Replacement Program
August 15, 2017
Presented at:
SASHTO 2017
Norfolk, VA

2. RhodeWorks Bridge Reconstruction – Large Commercial Truck Tolling Program
The Problem
Rhode Island ranks last in the nation, 50th out of 50 states, in overall bridge condition
Over 20% of the 1,162 bridges in Rhode Island are structurally deficient
Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Infrastructure: “$285 Million Annual Funding Gap (2008 Dollars)” just for state of good repair.
Almost all vehicle-created road damage is from large commercial trucks.
Rhode Island is a very small state
A very high proportion of through traffic on I-95
Most of it does not stop for gas in the state

3. The Solution Governor Raimondo and her admin.
have put a significant focus on
rebuilding the state’s infrastructure to promote economic growth.
Secure additional funding to restore transportation infrastructure:
Charging a user fee on ONLY large commercial trucks - not cars or smaller trucks
Taking advantage of the low bond rates to fund needed work
Fix more than 150 structurally deficient bridges in Rhode Island, and make repairs to another 500 bridges to prevent them from becoming deficient
Realize significant savings over ten years by addressing the problem now instead of waiting
A look at how RIDOT solved “the problem”…

4. Tolling Is a Good Option for Rhode Island
Very high proportion of “through” traffic, most of which does not purchase fuel within R.I.
Tolls are generally prohibited on currently untolled interstate highways
RIDOT considered tolling of I-95 under the ISRRPP program, did not receive one of three limited slots several years ago
Section 129 FHWA tolling program does permit the addition of tolling on bridges being replaced or substantially reconstructed
FHWA considers any structure of more than 20 feet in length to be eligible for tolling under this provision
No formal “tolling agreement” required under this program; rather only an MOU with FHWA

5. Steps in the Process
Preliminary assessments of potential bridge locations and revenue potential in early 2015 – Governor establishes RhodeWorks program and solicited approval of Legislature
Rhode Island Legislature debated late in 2015 session but did not reach consensus
More detailed traffic studies and alternatives analyses undertaken later in 2015 as program was refined
Both houses of R.I. legislature approved the program in early 2016
Key decision: tolls would only be assessed on large trucks, general responsible for a majority of structure wear on highways

6. Large Commercial Truck Only - Bridge Tolls
Bridge Reconstruction Tolling Allowed under 23 USC Section 129
Emergence of all-electronic non-stop tolling made the concept feasible
Per Section 129, states set toll policy, including: RE:
Toll Collection in One or Both Directions
Toll Rates
Discount Programs
Classes of Vehicles Upon Which Tolls are Charged

7. Tolls to Be Assessed on Heavy Trucks
RIDOT determined that majority of load related damage to structures is caused by heavy trucks
FHWA Class 8 and above
Essentially tractor trailer combinations
Automatic Vehicle Classification will require:
Vehicle profiling
Vehicle length measure
Vehicle separation

8. Selecting Tolling Locations
RIDOT Goals:
Maximize Revenue
Minimize Toll Charges
Minimize Local Community Impacts
Primary Considerations:
Deficient Bridge Locations
Revenue - High Truck Volumes
Minimize Truck Diversions
Balanced Coverage Statewide

9. All Electronic Tolling at 14 Locations
Automatic Vehicle Classification
EZ-Pass Transactions
Video Plate Imaging for Trucks without EZ-Pass

10. RIDOT Bridge Truck Toll Program
Rhode Works Legislation
passed 02/2016
MOUs with FHWA executed 09/2016
Agreement that truck tolling meets requirements based on 23 USC 129 (a)(1)
Design-Build-Operate-Maintain Contract
Awarded to a team led by Kapsch in 2017
Locations 1 & 2 start revenue collection 12/2017
Remaining locations start revenue collection 12/2018
10-year O&M phase with two optional 5-year extensions

11. NEPA Considerations
FHWA gave option for one Programmatic EA or 13 separate EAs
RIDOT selected a single programmatic approach
Includes the Toll Gantries at each tolling location and the indirect impacts of truck diversions to alternative routes
Purpose & Need: to repair structurally deficient bridges & implement tolling program for funding repair
Alternatives: Build or No Build only
FHWA gave approval of NEPA approach in letter of 05/01/17

12. What Might This Mean for Other States
Bridge tolling exemption could be a major opportunity for any state
The program is flexible with relatively few limitations
Applicable to any structure over 20 feet, including bridges over cross roads, being substantially reconstructed or replaced, including major deck replacements, strengthening to meet current load standards, widening or full replacement
No direct limits on toll rates,
“Excess” revenue (after debt service and ongoing maintenance) can be used for any Title 23 authorized transportation purpose
This flexibility would allow a state to finance a network of bridge (and perhaps other) road improvements without directly limiting the revenue collected at each bridge to the improvement cost of that bridge

13. Thank You
Ed Regan