The cost to drive on the Indiana Toll Road rose for all vehicles with three or more axles, as well as two-axle vehicles that were not using the I-Zoom electronic tolling system, which debuted on the road last week.
Seven-axle vehicles will now pay $59.60 to travel the entire 157 miles, up from $49.25, while the rate for six-axle vehicles jumped to $32 from $26.50.
The cost for passenger vehicles using I-Zoom, which debuted on the toll road Tuesday, is scheduled to remain at $4.65 until 2016.
Kenneth Cragen, president of the Indiana Motor Truck Association, said it was a difficult time for toll rates to rise, with high fuel prices and a soft freight market, the Associated Press reported.
Although truckers have to pay the higher tolls regardless of whether they use I-Zoom, Cragen said they welcome the system to the toll road, as it will help them save both time and fuel.
In 2006, the state agreed to a 75-year lease of the road to a consortium of Spanish company Cintra and Australia’s Macquarie Infrastructure Group for $3.8 billion. A provision to increase the toll rate was included in the lease.
