MAP-21 and Tolls

[Grzrd]

After reading this post about the Tennessee Tollway Authority in the "I-69 in TN" thread, I wondered how MAP-21 addresses the issue of tolling.  Section 1512(a)(1)(A) [pages 167-68/599 of pdf] appears to allow tolling of new terrain sections of interstates:

SEC. 1512. TOLLING.
(a) AMENDMENT TO TOLLING PROVISION.–Section 129(a) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
"˜"˜(a) BASIC PROGRAM.–
"˜"˜(1) AUTHORIZATION FOR FEDERAL PARTICIPATION.–Subject to the provisions of this section, Federal participation shall be
permitted on the same basis and in the same manner as construction of toll-free highways is permitted under this chapter
in the–
"˜"˜(A) initial construction of a toll highway, bridge, or tunnel or approach to the highway, bridge, or tunnel

This provision appears to give the green light to tolling of new terrain construction.

Other instances of allowable tolling in MAP-21 are as follows:

"˜"˜(B) initial construction of 1 or more lanes or other improvements that increase capacity of a highway, bridge, or tunnel (other than a highway on the Interstate System) and conversion of that highway, bridge, or tunnel to a tolled facility, if the number of toll-free lanes, excluding auxiliary lanes, after the construction is not less than the number of toll-free lanes, excluding auxiliary lanes, before the construction;
"˜"˜(C) initial construction of 1 or more lanes or other improvements that increase the capacity of a highway, bridge, or tunnel on the Interstate System and conversion of that highway, bridge, or tunnel to a tolled facility, if the number of toll-free non-HOV lanes, excluding auxiliary lanes, after such construction is not less than the number of toll-free non-HOV lanes, excluding auxiliary lanes, before such construction;
"˜"˜(D) reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, or replacement of a toll highway, bridge, or tunnel or approach to the highway, bridge, or tunnel;
"˜"˜(E) reconstruction or replacement of a toll-free bridge or tunnel and conversion of the bridge or tunnel to a toll facility;
"˜"˜(F) reconstruction of a toll-free Federal-aid highway (other than a highway on the Interstate System) and conversion of the highway to a toll facility;
"˜"˜(G) reconstruction, restoration, or rehabilitation of a highway on the Interstate System if the number of toll-free non-HOV lanes, excluding auxiliary lanes, after reconstruction, restoration, or rehabilitation is not less than the number of toll-free non-HOV lanes, excluding auxiliary lanes, before reconstruction, restoration, or rehabilitation;
"˜"˜(H) conversion of a high occupancy vehicle lane on a highway, bridge, or tunnel to a toll facility; and
"˜"˜(I) preliminary studies to determine the feasibility of a toll facility for which Federal participation is authorized under this paragraph.