Published: March 14, 2008 10:26 am            

Hill: No tolls on Ohio River bridges

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., said he’ll fight a proposal that would use tolls to pay for the construction of two proposed Ohio River bridges.

In a letter to Gov. Mitch Daniels, the congressman said legal action would not be ruled out should tolling be pursued.

Hill’s letter to the governor was in response to public comments Daniels made entertaining the idea of tolling in order to pay for projects.

The $4.1 billion Ohio River Bridges Project seeks to build two new bridges — one in downtown Jeffersonville and another near Utica — and rebuild Spaghetti Junction in downtown Louisville.

Indiana has money available for the project, garnered through the Major Moves program, which leased the Northern Indiana Toll Road to a private consortium for $3.8 billion.

Despite that, a study released by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in early February indicates that the tolls would be going in both directions.

“I implore you to ensure that the funds remain designated for this project so that Indiana residents are not taxed for this construction,” Hill said in the letter.

The congressman pointed out that Indiana workers comprise nearly two-thirds of the interstate commuter traffic in Metro Louisville.

“With tolls, Hoosiers would end up paying for Kentucky’s portion of the project, when they are already burdened with an occupational tax imposed by the City of Louisville,” he said.

Tolling also could delay the project indefinitely, he added, depending on revisions needed to the projects environmental study and record of decision which authorized the project on the federal level.

Daniels has not proposed tolls for the bridges, but he believes it’s important to keep an open mind to alternatives Kentucky may consider as it tries to find answers to financial issues, said Jane Jankowski, a spokesperson for the governor. Daniels’ staff has met with Hill’s and they feel he has a better understanding of the governor’s position, she said.

The letter comes as the Kentucky House on Thursday passed House Bill 689, legislation which creates a tolling authority. The Kentucky Senate has passed a similar bill.

“I’m not at all opposed to tolls,” said Eric Schansberg, economist and Libertarian candidate who will be running against Hill in November.

“As an economist — the costs of services are paid by the people using them — that’s the idea,” he said.

The fact that Indiana’s Major Moves money already has been dedicated to the project does complicate matters, he admits.

“But the money from Major Moves could be spent anywhere in the state. You got to find money from somewhere,” he said.

Republican congressional candidate Mike Sodrel could not be reached by phone, but e-mailed a statement.

“I do not support the use of tolls to build the bridges project,” the former congressman wrote. “If Kentucky elects to impose tolls to pay for their portion of the project, Indiana companies and individuals should be exempt from paying the tolls.”

Hill advocated public-private bonding, loans and even corporate sponsorship as options that should be considered before tolls.

“I will continue to push for these options at the federal level, and work diligently to prevent tolling through all means at my disposal,” he wrote.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s February study examined eight possible toll alternatives, one of which included tolls on existing bridges between Southern Indiana and Kentucky. Toll estimates ranged between 50 cents and $3.

One option included tolls on all crossings and the two new bridges being proposed. Another option had a toll on the Kennedy interchange and no where else.



David Mann writes for The Evening News in Jeffersonville, Ind.

        

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