I-95 Tolling Public Hearing - Wilson, NC

Is the often rumored and talked about I-95 toll proposal going to happen in NC? Well, it just might.  Last week, the FHWA gave preliminary approval to NCDOT to be one of three pilot projects that will allow tolling of existing free Interstates to finance much needed and very expensive rehabilitation and improvement projects.

Over the past week and a half, NCDOT has held Public Information Hearings on the proposal covering everything to the widening of the highway, reconfiguration of interchanges, and of course tolling.  These meetings are being held in each of the counties Interstate 95 traverses through in North Carolina.

I went to the meeting held in Wilson on Tuesday, February 21st.  This was actually the first time I personally have ever attended a public information meeting on any type of highway or infrastructure project.  Billy Riddle was also in the area so he joined along.

We arrived at about 5:30.  And by the looks of the sign-up sheets there had been about 25-30 people that had arrived since the start of the session at 4 pm.  We were given a handout with general information about the project - and a magnet promoting the project's website, facebook page, and twitter feed.

We sat through a five minute introductory video - and then went into a side conference room where we were able to see some conceptual details about the project and speak to NCDOT and other personnel involved in the project to this date.

We learned quite a few things:

• The cost of the project is estimated at $4.4 billion.  If no tolls were to be used, it would take at least 60 years to do the entire rebuild, widening, interchange improvements at current funding levels.
• NCDOT considered building an entire new alignment of all or parts of Interstate 95 during the preliminary study process.
• Of the 185 bridges on I-95 in NC nearly half of them (88) need immediate repair and/or replacement within the next ten years.
• 35 locations need improved sight distance
• 45 ramps need longer acceleration and/or decelerations
• 22 locations need additional distance between interchanges
• 20 % of traffic entering NC at the VA line drive completely through the state into South Carolina.
• Between 45-50% of all vehicles on I-95 in North Carolina are out of state.

As for details of what the improved I-95 would include:

•  95 will have eight lanes from Exit 31 (NC 20/St. Pauls) to Exit 81 (I-40)
• The rest of 95 from the SC border to Exit 31 and from I-40 to the Virginia border will have six lanes
• Construction will be in two phases over 20-25 years.  
• Phase 1: Widen to eight lanes from Exit 31 to 81 and widen to six lanes from Exit 20 (NC 211/Lumberton) to Exit 31.  This is scheduled to begin in 2015-16.
• Phase 2: Widen to six lanes the remainder of I-95 and make additional bridge and safety improvements.
• The construction will be a design-build project.
• Unlike what was reported over a year ago, none of the existing interchanges on I-95 will be removed.  Some in the Dunn and Benson area may be combined into one larger interchange but none will be removed.
•  No major changes will be made to the freeway to freeway interchanges with I-295, I-40, I-74, US 64 and US 264.

Now for the most controversial part - the tolls:

• Tolling will begin in 2019.
• Tolling will be 100% Electronic or bill by mail.  Similar to the Triangle Expressway and the NC Turnpike Authority.
• The preliminary toll rate will be $19.20 for a car driving the entire route. Or about 11 cents per mile.  This of course will be higher for trucks.  
• Electronic toll gantries will be places at an average of once every 20 miles.  However, they can be as few as 16 miles apart or as much as 22 miles apart.
• Toll gantries will be placed on ramps before and after each toll gantry to capture tolls from anyone trying to skip the mainline gantries.  These travelers would be charged a 10 mile toll.
• Discounted rates or annual passes are being considered.  They have received numerous comments and suggestions for lower commuter rates.  This would be similar to discounted "local" tolls that other states like Maine and West Virginia have done currently or in the past.
• If sections of I-95 have not been improved - there will be temporary toll gantries placed in the vicinity of the permanent toll barriers.

Commentary:

First, I am in favor of the toll proposal.  Construction projects are getting more involved and more costly.  And with the amount of our Interstate highways let alone our entire infrastructure reaching middle age and retirement - there's a lot of projects that need to be done and not a lot of money out there let alone money you can count on.  Toll roads aren't going to get voted homecoming queen.  In fact if a transportation forum could be a possible barometer, a number of out-of-state residents and truck drivers will consider bypassing I-95 in NC altogether. And there are already local residents protesting the tolls.

However, I-95 needs rebuilt, widened, made safer and it needed it yesterday.  Out of state drivers who are either continuing to destinations south or to our beaches will be paying a large portion of the bill. But that doesn't mean concerns that local drivers shouldn't get a break.  In my comments, I mentioned that a discounted toll should be considered and offered to residents living in any of the counties that I-95 travels through.  I am not sure how much of a discount but it should be significant and not bear an extreme burden on those living in some of the poorer areas of the state.

I also suggested that some of the interchanges with routes that tourists use to get to the coast be considered for tolls. US 158, US 264, US 64, US 70, I-40, NC 87, and US/I-74.  This may be tougher to implement - and may even be a bad idea - but if North Carolina residential tag holders would not be charged at these exits, it could be possible.

I learned a lot from this session.  And I am glad that I went.  Admittedly, Billy and I were most likely the youngest and also non-politician while we were there.  It was a good experience to attend and whether your are a roadgeek or not I would encourage anyone in the general public to go to these when they are able.  And don't be afraid to offer suggestions in the comment sheet or ask questions.