North Carolina – Transportation officials in North Carolina have enlisted the services of a firm specializing in tolling and pricing to study the economic impact of the massive $4.4 million overhaul proposal for I-95. Opponents of the tolling option say hiring a pro-tolling firm shows bias in favor of tolls.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has hired Cambridge Systematics to perform the $1.6 million study over six months. North Carolina and Virginia are both considering possibilities for tolls on the congested I-95 corridor.
NCDOT said the study will “examine what the economic impacts, both positive and negative, will be to adding lanes on I-95 and paying for them with tolling or utilizing other funding that may exist. It will also examine the economic impact of not adding the lanes or making any significant improvements outside of what can be funded with existing funding sources.”
Cambridge Systematics has worked extensively as an adviser to tolling authorities and other agencies looking at advancing new toll roads and adding tolls to existing free roads.
I found it interesting that toll opponents opposed the hiring of Cambridge Systematics. Cambridge Systematics is a well-respected firm in the toll assessment line of our business. The logic of hiring a firm without this type of credentials to do the study has no basis. It would be like needing back surgery and consulting a plumber lest the surgeon be prejudiced and recommend surgery. When making big decisions on any major transportation issue, get the best advice possible.TW