In brief: major infrastructure upgrades in Texas, Ohio and Michigan

I-35 closure in Texas, Ohio Turnpike toll increase, and Michigan's road funding.

Closure of Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that a section of northbound Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas, will remain closed until early next year. Started on December 2, the closure is part of the reconstruction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard bridge, which includes the addition of a safety barrier and the reconstruction of the entrance and exit ramps in both directions.

This I-35 renovation project aims to improve safety, mobility, and east-west connectivity, according to TxDOT. The improvements will take place over an 8-mile stretch between Highway 290 East and State Highway 71/Ben White Boulevard. The closure is part of an initiative to alleviate congestion on this road, which sees an average of nearly 200,000 vehicles daily.

Improvements include the removal of existing road decks, lowering of the roadway, and the addition of two non-toll lanes for high-occupancy vehicles in each direction. I-35 in central Texas is one of the most congested routes in the state and is vital to the local, regional, and national transportation network. This project is part of the Mobility35 Program, which spans 79 miles from the Williamson/Bell county line to the Hays/Comal county line.

Toll increase on the Ohio turnpike

Starting January 1, 2025, truckers using the Ohio Turnpike will experience an increase in toll rates. It has been recently reported that commercial vehicles traveling this road and using E-ZPass will pay 22 cents per mile, up from the current 20.4 cents. Similarly, customers paying with cash or with credit card will see an increase, rising from 25.6 cents to 27.6 cents per mile.

This increase is part of a gradual adjustment approved by the Ohio Turnpike Commission in April 2023, which will continue until 2028. The increase is intended to ensure a stable financial plan to cover operational costs, debt, and capital improvements. In addition, the Commission has implemented a modernized toll collection system, including the removal of gates at 20 stations and the installation of lanes with advanced electronic equipment, all funded exclusively by toll revenue. Although construction costs have risen, Ohio Turnpike toll rates remain among the lowest in the country.

Michigan seeks funding for highway and bridge infrastructure

Matt Hall, the elected Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, has proposed a funding plan to repair roads and bridges in the state, allocating nearly $3 billion in state funds. The plan utilizes revenue from fuel taxes and corporate taxes to strengthen infrastructure projects. Hall emphasizes that, despite an increase in state spending in recent years, roads have not received a significant portion of these funds.

Hall’s proposal aims to immediately allocate $1.2 billion from corporate tax revenue to infrastructure, with an additional $600 million in 2026. Additionally, he proposes that all fuel tax revenue, which currently includes a special 30-cent-per-gallon tax, be directed to road funding. This change would also replace the fuel sales tax with an increase in the special tax, generating an additional $945 million for transportation without affecting funds for schools.

The Michigan County Road Association has supported the plan, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure investment. Meanwhile, House Democrats are considering implementing a pilot program for a voluntary mileage-based fee as an additional solution to fund transportation. However, a recent report from the Michigan County Road Association indicates that the state faces an annual shortfall of $3.9 billion in road funding and needs an additional $2.4 billion to meet local road repair goals.