Toll Roads and Bridges: Where do our toll dollars go? 

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Have you ever wondered why you have to pay a toll to drive on some roads? More importantly, where do those toll dollars even go? Traveling on toll roads and bridges is often considered more convenient because these routes are regularly maintained and protected against falling into disrepair. Here are some benefits of traveling on toll roads and bridges and some examples of what our toll dollars support.

Types of Tolls

Travelers sometimes pay a “toll” in order to cross a bridge or drive on a road. Revenue created from these tolls makes it possible to carry out large infrastructure projects. Tolls pay for regular construction, expansion, and maintenance, so toll roads and bridges can remain in tip top shape.

There are a few different types of tolls, including:

  • Open toll: After passing a certain distance, travelers pay a fixed amount via a toll booth.
  • Closed toll: A vehicle’s entrance is recorded and charged when the traveler leaves the toll route; the amount being charged will depend on the distance traveled.
  • Annual toll: Travelers pay for an annual pass that lets them travel freely on toll roads.

All of these are considered “direct tolls”. But there are also “shadow tolls”, where roads and bridges are funded through taxes, not by charging travelers directly. All of these tolls serve the same purpose though: to provide regular repairs and maintenance on roads and bridges, to keep these transportation routes in working order.

Benefits of Toll Roads and Bridges

There is no doubt that the toll business is booming. In New York, MTA Bridges and Tunnels generated over $2.4 billion in toll revenues in 2023, which was $68 million more than in 2022. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is currently the most expensive toll rate in the United States, charging $0.25 per mile. States garner a percentage (usually 5-10%) of their highway revenue from tolls – but to the traveler, are toll roads worth the price?

Many travelers specifically choose to travel via toll roads and bridges, because toll routes are often in better condition than other highways and interstates. This is largely because the revenue generated by these roads is specifically channeled to maintain and repair these roads, making them safer for travel. In fact, The International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association conducted a study to determine the fatality rates across 75 toll routes, including roads, bridges, and tunnels. Their findings indicated that these toll routes experienced far fewer fatalities than other similar systems; an average of 0.52 toll road fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles driven, compared to 1.47 on all US roadways. Toll roads are often also considered to have more adequate signage and better road seasonal road maintenance (snow plowing, salting, etc.) than non-tolled routes, which also makes them safer and more easily traversable.

Overall, toll roads offer a higher quality travel experience for drivers. Toll revenue pays for the regular maintenance and repair of roads and bridges, so that travelers can be certain that their travel experience will be smooth, safe, and time-efficient.

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