Toll road proposed

When the legislature reconvenes on February 10, one of the bills being proposed by the senate will be SF0006, another attempt at making Interstate 80 through Wyoming a toll road.

Started in 1956 and finally completed in 1986, the I80 corridor, otherwise known as the Lincoln Highway, stretches from downtown San Francisco across the country to Teaneck, New Jersey.

The 400 mile portion through Wyoming has been an issue for some time, with massive semi-truck traffic degrading the road on a daily basis.

In fact, Wyoming spends $60 million per year just on repairs and maintenance of the interstate, a number WYDOT says is about $40 million shy of what they actually need to keep the road in good shape.

The suggestion of turning I80 into a toll road has been tossed around a few times over the years with some saying charging to drive on it could decrease everything from truck traffic to tourism while others point out charging a toll could allow that $60 million to be used on other roads in the Wyoming system.

This wouldn’t be the only stretch of the highway that would be a toll road. Drivers pay tolls between Chicago and Youngstown, Ohio, including the Indiana Toll Road and the Ohio Turnpike.

The current bill would be a way to reduce traffic congestion, delays, hazards, injuries and fatalities along the route, but there is a lengthy federal process the state would have to go through in order to bring the toll road to fruition.

Wyoming is one of just 19 states in the Union that does not have a toll road to help pay for the upkeep, but more states are looking at the option in order to save on costs for road management.

It will be worthwhile to keep an eye on SF0006 through this legislative session as its passage could be a boon for Hot Springs County’s roads.