ri application for i95_toll ct

8/6/2019 RI application for I95_toll CT

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ri-application-for-i95toll-ct 1/9

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

Michael P. LewisDirector

Department of Transportation

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Two Capitol Hill

Providence, R.I. 02903-1124

OFFICE (401) 222-2481

FAX (401) 222-2086

TDD (401) 222-4971

June 29, 2011

Tolling and Pricing Team VIAEmail: [email protected]

Federal Highway Administration

Office of Innovative Program DeliveryAttn: Patrick DeCorla-Souza

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Mail Stop E84-320

Washington, DC, 20590

RE: Tolling and Pricing Opportunities Expression of Interest

Dear Tolling and Pricing Team:

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) respectfully submits for your

consideration our Expression of Interest for applying for approval to toll Interstate 1-95 under the

FHWA Tolling and Pricing Program. The RIDOT proposes to toll Interstate-95 to generate revenueto:

1. Replace a heavily traveled structurally deficient bridge carrying 1-95 in Providence, the

Providence Viaduct;

2. To reconstruct a major interchange at 1-95 and Route 4 to relieve congestion and

provide freeway access to the State's premier business park; and

3. To bring the 43.3 miles of 1-95 and the 23.6 miles ofI-295 to a state of good repair.

The key project to be funded with toll revenue would be the replacement of the rapidly

deteriorating Providence Viaduct which carries up to 230,000 vehicles per day in the heart of the

State capital. Due to the conditions of the 1-95 Corridor and lack of sufficient State funds, tolling 1-

95 is necessary to maintain connectivity from Washington D.C. to Boston, Massachusetts; for the

safety of thousands of motorists; and for the economic viability of business (locally and nationally)

that rely on our State's 67 miles of the 1-95/1-295 interstate corridor.

Within the last few years, Rhode Island has committed significant funds for Interstate rehabilitation

projects including some $150 million for the replacement of the 1-95 Pawtucket River Bridge and

about $620 million for improvements to the 1-95/1-195 connection, the IWAY. The State

mailto:[email protected]




r

for Michael P. Lewis

Director

Patrick DeCoria-Souza

June 30, 2011

borrowed heavily to fund the IWAY project issuing almost $300 million of GARVEEbonds and $67

million in Motor Fuel Revenue bonds to fund the project which must be repaid for with futurehighway funds. With an aging infrastructure and limited financial resources, Rhode Island lacks

sufficient funds for the major rehabilitation efforts needed to bring and maintain the 1-95/1-295

Corridor to a state of good repair.

Tolling is necessary to bridge the funding gap. This fact has been recognized by leaders within the

State and by Commissions and other public bodies which have studied Rhode Island's

transportation funding needs. A copy of a letter of support from our Governor, President of the

State Senate and Speaker of the House is included with this submission. Additionally, the

Governor's 2008 Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Funding and the Senate Commission on

Sustainable Transportation Funding have recommended that the state consider tolls on the 1-95corridor. Further, RIDOT will be partnering in this tolling effort with the state's tolling authority to

utilize their expertise to optimize revenues.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to further discussions with you.



U.S. Department of Transportation


Tolling and Pricing Opportunities

Expression of Interest

If you have any questions completing this form, please contact Patrick DeCorla-Souza at (202) 366-4076. Please complete

all applicable information and attach this request via email [email protected] to:

Tolling and Pricing Team


Office of Innovative Program Delivery, Attn: Patrick DeCorla-Souza

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Mail Stop E84-320Washington, DC, 20590

Please copy your respective FHW A State Division Office

A) What is the requesting agency, authority, or public company? What is the lead office within the

requesting agency, authority, or private company?

Name(s):

Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Division of Planning and Finance

Project Website (if applicable) or Your Agency/Company Website: hup.z/www.dot.state.ri.us/

B) Contact Information

Name: Robert A. Shawver, P.E.

Title: Administrator, Planning & Finance

Address: Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Two Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02903

Phone: (401) 222-2023 x4224

E-mail: [email protected]

C) What is the requesting agency seeking? (Please mark appropriate box)

Funding ONLY for this project or study (Federal authority already granted or not necessary).

X Federal Tolling Authority ONLY for this project or study (no funds requested).

Funding AND tolling authority for this project or study.

Other, not listed.

The RIDOT seeks permission to toll Interstate-95 within its planned redevelopment of the state's 1-95/1-295

Corridor. The purpose of the proposed tolling is to ensure the safe and efficient travel and operations of the

Corridor by replacing a major bridge (Providence Viaduct), reconstructing a major interchange, and

rehabilitating other existing facilities, bridges, and roadway infrastructures along the Corridor. Our preliminary

traffic and revenue studies of the Corridor indicate that tolling is a viable source of revenue generation that

could help offset construction costs and provide sufficient funds to allow for the self-supporting operations and

maintenance of the facilities.

D) Please provide a brief description of the tolling or pricing project or study. Please identify and describe the

subject facility or general area to be tolled, priced or studied (i.e. name of project/study, location, length,

level of service, problem to be addressed, etc.)?

Extending more than 1,900 miles from Maine to Florida, 1-95 is the major north-south route in the eastern

United States. With only 43 miles from the state's northeast to southwest corner, the Rhode Island 1-95 Corridor

Page I of 5

Expression of Interest-FHW A Office of Operations

Version 1.0 12/05


http://hup.z/www.dot.state.ri.us/



http://hup.z/www.dot.state.ri.us/








is one of the top three most traveled segments of the entire 1-95 serving more than 260,000 vehicles per day.

Together with 1-295, which provides alternate route around Providence, the 1-95/1-295 Corridor carries a

combination of long-distance and regional interstate trips, commuter trips, leisure trips and commercial trips. It

is the essential urban connection linking Boston to Washington, D.C. Due to insufficient funds, the 1-95/1-295

Corridor includes eight (8) structurally deficient bridges in need of repair. In order to bring and maintain the

entire 1-95/1-295 corridor into a state of good repair, RIDOT proposes to implement tolling on 1-95. The Facilitythat is proposed to be supported by the toll revenue is the entire 1-95/1-295 corridor as shown on the attached

map.

One of the structurally deficient bridges which has not been repaired due to lack of funding is the 1-95

Providence Viaduct in downtown Providence carrying approximately 230,000 vehicles per day. The Providence

Viaduct serves as a vital artery, connecting the people and economy of Metropolitan Providence as well as the

entire Northeast region. Constructed in 1964, the 1-95 Providence Viaduct consists of eight spans totaling 1,290

feet in length. The bridge carries 1-95 northbound and southbound over the heart of Providence, and crosses the

Northeast Corridor railroad tracks (AMTRAK, the MBTA commuter rail to the north, the Providence and

Worcester Railroad), the Woonasquatucket River, and local roadways and ramps at the Civic Center Interchange

with Route 6 and Route 10. The 1-95 Providence Viaduct provides access to the RI state offices, the RI

Convention Center and Dunkin Donuts Center (arena), the Providence Place Mall (Rhode Island's retail center),Veterans Memorial Auditorium (VMA), universities (including Brown University and Providence College),

AMTRAKlMBT A station, and more.

The bridge deck is badly deteriorated and is shielded and shored in many locations. There are numerous cracks

in the structural steel secondary members and increasing fatigue cracks in the main member welds and the steel

girders. The continued deterioration of the structure and delay in its reconstruction will potentially result in lane

shutdowns, emergency lane and lor weight restrictions to avoid weakened steel members, and ultimately

significant delays if an entire direction requires closure. The bridge has not been replaced due to State's inability

to fund the $140 million project.

In addition to deferring system repair projects, the lack of funding also has prevented the state from

implementing projects which can stimulate economic development and reduce congestion. One such project on1-95 which has been deferred due to lack of funding is the construction of a new interchange from Route 95 to

Route 4 which would provide direct freeway access from Interstate 95 to the Quonset Business Park in North

Kingston. The 3, 160-acre Quonset Business Park is the premier industrial park in Rhode Island. Quonset is

home to 164 companies employing 8,842 individuals in a mix of office, R&D, manufacturing, warehouse and

distribution, marine construction, importation, and at full build-out, Quonset Development Corporation

anticipates the Park will have approximately 15,000 employees. The importance of the Quonset Business Park

was recognized by the FHW A in the award of a TIGER grant to the Park of $22 million in federal stimulus

funds to make infrastructure improvements in preparation for offshore wind development and to work toward

positioning the state-owned industrial park on the waterfront in North Kingstown as a short-sea shipping port.

Currently, the interchange connecting Route 4 to Route 95 has two freeway to freeway missing links: a) Route

95 North to Route 4 South; and b) Route 4 North to Route 95 South. Large trucks traveling north on Route 95must exit the highway in East Greenwich and travel through a congested commercial area for about a mile

before entering the Route 4 freeway connecting to the Quonset Access Road in order to reach the Business Park.

The State of Rhode Island recently constructed the 4.5 mile Access Road at a cost of about $200 million using

GAR VEE bonds backed by FHW A funding.

RIDOT proposes to fund the $75 million Route 4/Route 95 interchange, the replacement of the Providence

Viaduct and other system preservation and repair projects with toll revenue from a new toll facility on Route 95

Page 2 of 5


Version 1.0 12 / 05







at a location on Route 95 in southern Rhode Island between exits 1 and 2. The proposed location is considered

the most feasible location to prevent toll avoidance and to gain public acceptance.

1-95 currently has tolls in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The

imposition of tolls was necessary for the connectivity and development ofI-95. Likewise the imposition of tolls

as being proposed by Rhode Island is necessary to maintain connectivity and the development of the 1-95/1-295corridor within Rhode Island.

RIDOT has commissioned preliminary studies to assess toll viability in the state and along 1-95. Some initial

studies suggest installing a mainline and ramp toll facility incorporating open road and electronic tolling on 1-95

between Exit 1 and Exit 2, within a few miles of the Connecticut border. Additional studies are being conducted

to determine the optimal toll configuration and collection points. The RIDOT estimates that tolling 1-95 would

provide funds to close funding gaps necessary to fund the Providence Viaduct and 1-95/Route 4 Interchange and

to rehabilitate the entire 1-95/1-295 Corridor. RIDOT anticipates partnering with the Rhode Island Turnpike and

Bridge Authority, which has more than 57 years in toll operations, particularly bridge corridors.

E) Which type of facility is proposed to be tolled or studied?X Interstate

Non-Interstate

Project contains both types offacilities

Project is not specific to any type offacility Explain

F) Does the toll project involve ANY construction?

oNo X Yes (if so, please mark all that apply) oNot applicable

X New construction

oHOV to HOT Conversion

X RehabilitationExpansion

oOther not listed.

oReconstruction

As indicated in Section D above, the 1-95/1-295 Corridor Toll Project consists of the replacement of the

Providence Viaduct, construction of the 1-951R0ute 4 Interchange, corridor rehabilitation and construction of the

necessary toll facilities. This proposed toll project is not unlike the SR 520 Bridge replacement project in

Seattle, Washington which recently garnered the support and approval ofFHW A.

G) Does an HOV lanets) currently exist on the facility?

oNo 0 Yes X Not applicable

H) What is the timetable to enact the tolling or pricing project or study?

The RIDOT has commissioned preliminary traffic and revenue studies for the 1-95 Corridor Project which

indicates that tolling is a viable funding option for this project. The RIDOT's ability to enact tolling is subject

to legislative approval. In furtherance ofthe RIDOT capital improvement plan and state transportation

improvement plan, the RlDOT's goal is to enact tolling as soon as possible. Time is of the essence given the

bridge conditions and inefficient operations of the current interchange.

Page 3 of 5


Version 1.0 12/05



u.s. Department of Transportation




1)Are there expressions of support from public officials 01' the public? Have any public meetings been held?

If no public meetings 01' expressions of support are available, please indicate the agency's plans for

ensuring adequate public involvement and seeking public support for the toll project 01' study.

Tolling the 1-95 Corridor has support from public officials and anticipated support from the public. In a letter

dated June 15, 2011, the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate indicate their

support for participation in the Interstate System Construction Toll Pilot Program for 1-95. A copy of that letteris attached.

Additionally, in December 2008, the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Funding recommended

tolling ofI-95 as an option to address Rhode Island's transportation funding needs. Similarly, the Senate

Commission on Sustainable Transportation Funding recommended that the State: "Consider tolls on the 1-95

corridor, or other locations, after appropriate impact study."

The concept oftolling has not been officially introduced to the public. The RIDOT will develop a public

outreach and communications plan which will include public meetings and stakeholder meeting for potentially

affected motorists, residents, businesses, advocacy groups and local, regional and state policy-makers. Crucial to

the feasibility study is the assessment of motorist acceptance tolling and willingness to pay. As we further study

optimal tolling points in relation to motorist acceptance, we will be able to better understand motorist andstakeholder support and desires. Tolling is not an unfamiliar concept in Rhode Island, nonetheless, we recognize

the need for sufficient support to advance any toll project and are conunitted to educating and engaging the

public as necessary and appropriate.

J) Where known (and if applicable), what is plan for implementing tolls 01' prices and the strategies to vwy

toll rates or prices (i.e., the formulae for variable pricing)?

The RIDOT anticipates that the toll pricing will vary based on vehicle type and transaction type (cash v.

electronic). The plan is to implement a schedule oftoll rates and periodic increases that are sufficient to bridge

the funding gap and to operate the toll facilities and maintain the corridor in consideration of, among other

matters, facility physical conditions, inflation and any debt costs.

At this time the RIDOT has no plans to implement variable pricing for congesting relief or any other like

purpose.

K) What is the reasott(s) of the toll project or study? Please mark all that apply.

X Financing construction

X Reducing congestion

X Improving air quality

oOther not listed.

Please briefly elaborate:

As the attached letter from the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House states:

"Over the last decade, no less than a dozen private and public commissions and organizations have issued

reports affirming the need to find alternative and sustainable means to fund Rhode Island's transportation

infrastructure needs. The General Assembly has approved innovative funding opportunities in the past, and we

acknowledge that reliance on borrowing to repair our highway system is not a sustainable practice. Exploring

Page 4 of 5

Expression of lnterest-FHWA Office of Operations

Version 1.0 12/05







and studying appropriate tolling options could provide significant revenues to address key highway needs, such

as the replacement of the Providence Viaduct."

These commissions and organizations referred to in the above quote have documented the transportation funding

crises Rhode Island is facing. As the 2008, Blue Ribbon Panel stated, "Rhode Island's current transportation

funding program is inadequate to properly maintain and operate our infrastructure, and unsustainable movingforward." It is clear that additional federal funding is not likely in the near future. Tolling ofI-95 can help

bridge the transportation funding gap.

In the State Budget passed in June 2011, the Rhode Island General Assembly declared that: "Rhode Island now

has, and for some years has had, a serious shortfall of funds available for the upkeep, maintenance and repair of

the state's highways, roads, and bridges ... Rhode Island must consider all potential sustainable sources as a

vehicle for maintaining and improving the transportation infrastructure of the state. Additional stable and secure

funding sources are absolutely necessary in order for the state to carry out its essential functions, including the

upkeep, maintenance and repair of the state's highways, roads, and bridges ... "

This proposed toll project is necessary to fund two major projects on 1-95 which have been deferred for lack of

funding, the Providence Viaduct Replacement and the construction of a full interchange at I-951R0ute 4, and to

provide the desperately needed funds to keep the 1-95/1-295 corridor in a good state of repair into the future. The

overall project cost for the Providence Viaduct alone is an estimated $140 million; with $75 million for the 1-

95/Route 4 Interchange. Additionally, toll revenues will ensure the dedication of funds to properly maintain and

restore several other structurally deficient bridges along 1-95.

L) Please provide a description of the public and/or private agency that will be responsible for operation,

maintenance, and/or enforcement for the tollproject or study?

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) would act as an agent of the RIDOT to provide toll

collection systems, operation and maintenance, and enforcement. RITBA currently operates the Newport Pell

Bridge.

M) Please provide a description of how, if at all, any private entities are involved in the up-front costs, 01' will

share in project responsibilities, debt retirement, 01' revenues?

No private entities are involved.

N) Please provide any additional information you feel is necessary.

A significant portion of the revenue generated by tolls would be used to fund the Providence Viaduct and the

new Interchange at Route 4/1-95, yet, tolling directly at either location is not be feasible, due to numerous

parallel alternative routes that would result in significant traffic diversion. A toll location point will be selected

that would best serve the traveling public with little diversion to local streets and less environmental impact.

Page 5 of 5


Version 1.0 12 /0 5



June 15,2011

United States Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Works Administration

Mr. Wayne Berman, Tolling and Pricing Team

FHWA Office of Operations, Room 3404

400 Seventh Street, SW,Washington D.C., 20590

Dear Mr. Berman:

We would like to take this opportunity to express support for the Rhode Island Department of

Transportation application to participate in the Federal Highway Administration Interstate

System Construction Toll Pilot Program, as authorized by Title 23 U.S.C. Section 129,301; P.L.

109-59, Section 11 1604, or any successor federal legislation.

Over the last decade, no less than a dozen private and public commissions and organizations

have issued reports affirming the need to find alternative and sustainable means to fund Rhode

Island's transportation infrastructure needs. The General Assembly has approved innovativefunding opportunities in the past, and we acknowledge that reliance on borrowing to repair our

highway system is not a sustainable practice. Exploring and studying appropriate tolling options

could provide significant revenues to address key highway needs, such as the replacement of the

Providence Viaduct.

Given the uncertainty of funding through a new federal surface transportation authorization and

the availability of the toll pilot program, we strongly encourage your support for the Rhode

Island Department of Transportation's participation in the Interstate System Construction Toll

Pilot Program for 1-95 in Rhode Island.

Lincoln D. Chafee M. Teresa Paiva Weed

President of the Senate

~~~

Gordon D. Fox

Speaker of the Houseovernor

cc: Rhode Island FHWA Division Office



Rhode Island 1-95/1-295 Corridor Tolling Program

..,~-( . . . .

" c

Providence

Viaduct

ri application for i95_toll ct

Documents