Trucking Lauches Anti-Toll Campaign

Trucking this week launched a multi-faceted advertising campaign in an effort to build public opposition to a proposal by the Arkansas Highway Commission to toll three interstate highways.

The trucking-backed Citizens for Safe and Efficient Highways began a six-week radio campaign on Jan. 11 urging Arkansans to oppose the plans being developed by the commission.

Concurrently, the Arkansas Motor Carriers Association began airing television commercials promoting the economic benefits of trucking.

The twin advertising campaigns coincided with the start of the 1999 state legislative session. AMCA is trying to pressure the state Highway Commission to submit its toll proposal to the Legislature for approval before submitting it to the Federal Highway Administration.

Congress in June created a pilot program allowing up to three states to charge tolls on interstate highways to pay for maintenance and repairs. The Commission plans to review its application to place tollbooths on Interstates 30, 40, and 55 in February.

Speaking to Arkansas lawmakers Jan. 11, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater predicted that several states would apply to FHWA for permission to toll interstate highways.

For the full story, see the Jan. 18 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.