Mark Kennedy: “This amendment addresses the big issues surrounding this year's road bill. How do we meet expanding capacity? How do we…”

“This amendment addresses the big issues surrounding this year's road bill. How do we meet expanding capacity? How do we do so without increasing taxes or expanding the deficit? How do we address an over reliance on the gas tax? The degree to which the FAST Act, introduced by myself and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), attracted strong bipartisan support reflects the success in addressing these issues; by expanding capacity, by removing an outdated prohibition against charging fees on the interstate, and preserving the trust of the driving public by doing so only if the fees are charged on new lanes, so we have new concrete or tar; charge electronically, so there are no toll booths; and the fees go away when construction and maintenance costs have been provided for. The use of these optional lanes would be optional to drivers, and the program is optional for States to use and does not impact their funding allocations. It is estimated that the FAST provisions could provide $50 billion in additional capacity over the road bill period without increasing taxes or expanding the deficit.”