Plan to Overhaul Illinois Tollways Would Raise Rates for Truckers
llinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday proposed nearly tripling rates for large trucks on Illinois tollways to help fund a $5.3 billion overhaul of the state's toll roads.
Currently, trucks pay $1.50 at most toll plazas, but the new rate would jump to $4. The toll would drop to $3 if a truck passed through during the less-congested period between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m, according to a statement posted on Blagojevich’s Web site.
Despite the increase, the tolls would still below the national average of 38 cents per mile for large trucks on urban toll roads, the Chicago Tribune reported.
"With the additional reduction in trip time that will be provided by the long-range plan, truckers should still save more in operating costs then they spend in tolls," Blagojevich said in his statement.
"Nationwide, trucks are charged higher toll rates than cars because they cause the bulk of the wear and tear on highways. The damage caused by one truck equals that caused by 10,000 cars, so it is only fair that trucks pay more," he said.
The additional funds would be used to rebuild almost all of the Illinois tollway's 274-mile system, including replacing toll booths with lanes that allow electronic I-PASS users to drive through barrier-free plazas, the statement said.
The tollways are used daily by 1.3 million vehicles.
Don Schaefer, executive director of the Mid-West Truckers Association, told the Chicago Tribune a "lot of study" would be needed to determine if truckers would benefit from the increase.
The new fees would be imposed Jan. 1 if the tollway authority approves the plan by Sept. 30.
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