Bill To Allow WYDOT To Implement Toll Roads Filed In Wyoming Legislature

A bill that would allow for the creation of toll roads in Wyoming has been filed in the Wyoming Legislature.

While there has been much discussion in past years about implementing a toll system on Interstate 80, Senate File 73 does not mention I-80 or any specific highway, saying only that highways in the state highway system would be eligible

There are questions about whether the state could toll I-80, since it is a federal highway.

The bill says that WYDOT ''shall have the authority to create a highway tolling program." It also spells out a process for implementing tolls Since no specific highways or tolls are mentioned, there is no way to estimate how much money the proposal might raise if it becomes law.

Wyoming In The Minority Of States With No Toll Roads

Wyoming is currently one of 13 states with no toll roads, according to tollguru.com. Among Wyoming's neighboring states, Colorado, Utah and Nebraska have toll roads, while Idaho, South Dakota and Montana do not.

It's also worth noting that WYDOT faces a funding shortfall estimated at $400 million. The Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee in October voted against a bill originally calling for an increase in fuel taxes by ten cents a gallon in two stages through 2028.

Even though that bill was eventually scaled back to only a nickel a gallon increase, it still failed to win approval. While it's still possible that a fuel tax increase may be proposed, it seems unlikely to get the support needed for passage.

The toll bill is sponsored by Senator Ogden Driskell [R-Campbell, Crook, Weston counties]. It's co-sponsored by Senator(s) Case, Crum, Gierau, Landen, Schuler
Representative(s) Larson, JT.