North Texas Tollway Authority hikes are official as of September 1

by PegNews wire

New toll rates aligned with the Regional Transportation Council's toll rate policy go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tues., Sept. 1, on all North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) roadways. The toll rate adjustment, approved by the NTTA Board of Directors on July 16, includes the adoption of a more equitable, influence-distance-based tolling structure on the Dallas North Tollway (DNT) and President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). Additionally, motorists without a TollTag, an electronic transponder attached to the windshield of a vehicle and used to pre-pay tolls, will pay 50 percent more than those with a TollTag.

Rates on the DNT and PGBT will increase from an average of 11 cents per mile to 14.5 cents per mile. However, due to the implementation of the new influenced-distance-based tolling structure, rate increases will fluctuate with rates at some locations increasing more than others and rates at some locations decreasing.

Rates on the Sam Rayburn Tollway (SRT) will increase slightly, from 13.8 cents per mile to 14.5 cents per mile.

The base rate on the Mountain Creek Lake Bridge (MCLB) and the Addison Airport Toll Tunnel (AATT) will not increase, but the surcharge for motorists without a TollTag will now be applied on these roadways. So, motorists without a TollTag will continue to pay 50 cents and motorists without a TollTag will pay 75 cents beginning Sept. 1.

"Raising rates is always a difficult decision to make, especially during an economic downturn. However, it is necessary to raise rates to maintain a financially viable system of roadways so that we can continue to deliver important mobility projects to the North Texas region," said NTTA Executive Director Allen Clemson.

After Sept. 1, the rates will be increased bi-annually in July at a compounded annual rate of 2.75 percent.

"Motorists without a TollTag can reduce or, in some cases, even eliminate paying more by simply getting a TollTag," Clemson said. "We understand that drivers have a choice when they travel. We hope they continue to select NTTA toll roads because of the time savings and safe, well-maintained roadways."

Source: NTTA