Indiana Notes

[tdindy88]

I call BS on this. You can have expanded truck parking areas AND still provide a modest rest area with parking for cars along the highway. Look at the new rest areas along I-69 between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne and the new welcome centers they're building. They can do both. It's just INDOT doesn't want to. It all comes down to maintenance, they just don't want to have to maintain that many rest areas. INDOT is constantly trying to find ways to save money and having less stuff to actually have to spend money is one way of doing this. So while no one is going to stop you from parking at the new "truck-only" rest areas, what the state is hoping and now forcing you to do is get off an at interchange, stop at a gas station and restaurant and use them for your "rest stop" purposes. Probably all with the hope that you spur the local economy by buying something there.

Last week I traveled down to Louisville from Indy. I had to use the facilities twice on this trip, the first time I stopped at the US 50 exit in Seymour. There I had to navigate the cloverleaf interchange, drive up the first stop light, turn into a gas station, park there, navigate the store, work around the other people there who were shopping for something there and getting gas in the parking lot and then leave that gas station, turn at the traffic signal and go back through the interchange. The second place I stopped was the Henryville rest area, where I pulled off the highway, parked in a parking spot, went in to use the restroom, went back to my car and checked my phone for a few minutes before turning back onto the interstate and continuing on my way.

To me this second way seemed a bit simpler when it comes to just taking a short break. But Indiana doesn't see it that way, they want me to have to get off at an interchange, hope their facilities are actually good (of which now we are depending on ordinary employees of private businesses to maintain the toilets and not INDOT workers) and navigate the local and non-local traffic at that interchange. And with all this cost-saving, they still want to turn these highways into toll roads.

[Rothman]

With the exception of the first sb one why are all the rest areas on I-65 between Chicago and Indianapolis for trucks only? This isn't right those rest areas should be for all to use not just truck drivers. I am going to email the Govenor of Indiana about this. I hope others will do the same.

I will not.  Have no problem with truck parking.

[Revive 755]

Technically, the rest areas are open for everyone, BUT semi trucks need more parking because of their mandatory driving hours/rest periods... Before the rebuild of the rest areas, I have seen them parked on the shoulders on the ramps, which is a very dangerous place to park.

The signing certainly does not indicate them being open for everyone - example on NB I-65 north of IN 10.  Granted is not as specific as that for the rest area on EB I-4 east of Orlando:  Streetview.

These rest area restrictions could be considered another great example of the safety hypocrisy of DOT's - I don't think a gas station or fast food joint is going to like someone pulling off and taking a quick nap in their parking lot as they could at a rest area.  Nor is it a good thing when it seems there are more places restricting bathroom access these days.

[stevashe]

Technically, the rest areas are open for everyone, BUT semi trucks need more parking because of their mandatory driving hours/rest periods... Before the rebuild of the rest areas, I have seen them parked on the shoulders on the ramps, which is a very dangerous place to park.

The signing certainly does not indicate them being open for everyone - example on NB I-65 north of IN 10.  Granted is not as specific as that for the rest area on EB I-4 east of Orlando:  Streetview.

Yeah, that sign in Orlando is also white, which means it is a legal restriction. Meanwhile the Indiana sign is blue, so it's technically only a suggestion.

[ITB]

According to an Indiana Capital Chronicle article published today, Governor Braun and INDOT are getting serious about tolling.

Here's a fair use snippet:

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) "is working closely with the governor's office, looking at different options: routes, the tolling process, the application, all of it as a whole, to see what makes the most sense (and) where need is greatest," the agency said.

The governor's office confirmed its interest.

"No decisions have been made," Chief of Staff Josh Kelley cautioned.

"But tolling has to be considered to maintain our current and future infrastructure and we are exploring all potential options," he added.

 

[silverback1065]

According to an Indiana Capital Chronicle article published today, Governor Braun and INDOT are getting serious about tolling.

Here's a fair use snippet:

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) "is working closely with the governor's office, looking at different options: routes, the tolling process, the application, all of it as a whole, to see what makes the most sense (and) where need is greatest," the agency said.

The governor's office confirmed its interest.

"No decisions have been made," Chief of Staff Josh Kelley cautioned.

"But tolling has to be considered to maintain our current and future infrastructure and we are exploring all potential options," he added.

 

In my opinion tolling is inevitable, there simply isn't a realistic alternative.

[Plutonic Panda]

That's funny because tons of other states seem to have figured it out.

[dvferyance]

With the exception of the first sb one why are all the rest areas on I-65 between Chicago and Indianapolis for trucks only? This isn't right those rest areas should be for all to use not just truck drivers. I am going to email the Govenor of Indiana about this. I hope others will do the same.

I will not.  Have no problem with truck parking.

I don't either as long as they can provide rest stops to those who don't drive a truck as well. Sure trucks can use the rest stops too just like they always have. My point had nothing to do with I was against truck parking. My point was the rest stops should not be exclusive just to trucks.

[ITB]

According to an Indiana Capital Chronicle article published today, Governor Braun and INDOT are getting serious about tolling.

Here's a fair use snippet:

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) "is working closely with the governor's office, looking at different options: routes, the tolling process, the application, all of it as a whole, to see what makes the most sense (and) where need is greatest," the agency said.

The governor's office confirmed its interest.

"No decisions have been made," Chief of Staff Josh Kelley cautioned.

"But tolling has to be considered to maintain our current and future infrastructure and we are exploring all potential options," he added.

 

In my opinion tolling is inevitable, there simply isn't a realistic alternative.

One option — and a good one — is to increase the vehicle registration fee. For example, if the fee was boosted $150 in Indiana, it would generate approximately a billion in revenue. The math is simple. In 2024, there were around 6.6 million registered vehicles in the state, so:

6,600,000 x $150 = $990,000,000

Hiking the fee $250 would produce $1.65 billion in revenue. That's a good chunk of change. Some folks, of course, will fight any registration fee increase, but even a $250 increase is only $20.83 per month. That's just a couple burgers and fries.

If the increased fee for commercial vehicles is hiked by, say, $350, the total revenue generated might easily top two billion.

But with a $4 billion annual budget, and one that grows each year, increased registration fees would either only generate about 25% of INDOT's needed revenue stream, or 50% depending how much the vehicle fee is increased. Thus, other solutions to boost revenue have to looked into as well, such as tolls and an infrastructure fee tacked on to utility bills.

Also, by 2030 or 2035, it's possible the world will be awash in oil as electric vehicles become more prevalent. As a result, oil prices may plummet, leading to lower costs at the pump. This will provide an opening to jack up the gas tax as the hit to the consumers' wallets will be softened.

Of course, raising the sales tax by a penny would help solve the problem, but in Indiana, the world would have to split in half before that would happen.

[Rothman]

With the exception of the first sb one why are all the rest areas on I-65 between Chicago and Indianapolis for trucks only? This isn't right those rest areas should be for all to use not just truck drivers. I am going to email the Govenor of Indiana about this. I hope others will do the same.

I will not.  Have no problem with truck parking.

I don't either as long as they can provide rest stops to those who don't drive a truck as well. Sure trucks can use the rest stops too just like they always have. My point had nothing to do with I was against truck parking. My point was the rest stops should not be exclusive just to trucks.

Sure.  I'm not going to contact the Governor over it.  Have no problem with how it's set up.

[jnewkirk77]

One option — and a good one — is to increase the vehicle registration fee. For example, if the fee was boosted $150 in Indiana, it would generate approximately a billion in revenue. The math is simple. In 2024, there were around 6.6 million registered vehicles in the state, so:

6,600,000 x $150 = $990,000,000

Hiking the fee $250 would produce $1.65 billion in revenue. That's a good chunk of change. Some folks, of course, will fight any registration fee increase, but even a $250 increase is only $20.83 per month. That's just a couple burgers and fries.

If the increased fee for commercial vehicles is hiked by, say, $350, the total revenue generated might easily top two billion.

But with a $4 billion annual budget, and one that grows each year, increased registration fees would either only generate about 25% of INDOT's needed revenue stream, or 50% depending how much the vehicle fee is increased. Thus, other solutions to boost revenue have to looked into as well, such as tolls and an infrastructure fee tacked on to utility bills.

Also, by 2030 or 2035, it's possible the world will be awash in oil as electric vehicles become more prevalent. As a result, oil prices may plummet, leading to lower costs at the pump. This will provide an opening to jack up the gas tax as the hit to the consumers' wallets will be softened.

Of course, raising the sales tax by a penny would help solve the problem, but in Indiana, the world would have to split in half before that would happen.

I wouldn't have a problem with this as long as it didn't apply to those 65+.

[ITB]

With the exception of the first sb one why are all the rest areas on I-65 between Chicago and Indianapolis for trucks only? This isn't right those rest areas should be for all to use not just truck drivers. I am going to email the Govenor of Indiana about this. I hope others will do the same.

I will not.  Have no problem with truck parking.

I don't either as long as they can provide rest stops to those who don't drive a truck as well. Sure trucks can use the rest stops too just like they always have. My point had nothing to do with I was against truck parking. My point was the rest stops should not be exclusive just to trucks.

The parking facilities exclusive to trucks should be considered just that: truck parking. These facilities align with Indiana's goal to increase the availability of truck parking within the state. Most rest areas will continue to accommodate both personal passenger vehicles as well as trucks. However, as noted and observed, there will be a select few facilities strictly limited to trucks.

[ITB]

One option — and a good one — is to increase the vehicle registration fee. For example, if the fee was boosted $150 in Indiana, it would generate approximately a billion in revenue. The math is simple. In 2024, there were around 6.6 million registered vehicles in the state, so:

6,600,000 x $150 = $990,000,000

Hiking the fee $250 would produce $1.65 billion in revenue. That's a good chunk of change. Some folks, of course, will fight any registration fee increase, but even a $250 increase is only $20.83 per month. That's just a couple burgers and fries.

If the increased fee for commercial vehicles is hiked by, say, $350, the total revenue generated might easily top two billion.

But with a $4 billion annual budget, and one that grows each year, increased registration fees would either only generate about 25% of INDOT's needed revenue stream, or 50% depending how much the vehicle fee is increased. Thus, other solutions to boost revenue have to looked into as well, such as tolls and an infrastructure fee tacked on to utility bills.

Also, by 2030 or 2035, it's possible the world will be awash in oil as electric vehicles become more prevalent. As a result, oil prices may plummet, leading to lower costs at the pump. This will provide an opening to jack up the gas tax as the hit to the consumers' wallets will be softened.

Of course, raising the sales tax by a penny would help solve the problem, but in Indiana, the world would have to split in half before that would happen.

I wouldn't have a problem with this as long as it didn't apply to those 65+.

Yes, seniors on low- and medium-fixed incomes have to be accommodated in some way, perhaps through a reduced fee. On the other hand, there's a large 65 and older cohort that are well off, with vacation homes and luxury cars in the garage. There would need to be some sort application process to determine who qualifies for the reduced fee.

[Rothman]

One option — and a good one — is to increase the vehicle registration fee. For example, if the fee was boosted $150 in Indiana, it would generate approximately a billion in revenue. The math is simple. In 2024, there were around 6.6 million registered vehicles in the state, so:

6,600,000 x $150 = $990,000,000

Hiking the fee $250 would produce $1.65 billion in revenue. That's a good chunk of change. Some folks, of course, will fight any registration fee increase, but even a $250 increase is only $20.83 per month. That's just a couple burgers and fries.

If the increased fee for commercial vehicles is hiked by, say, $350, the total revenue generated might easily top two billion.

But with a $4 billion annual budget, and one that grows each year, increased registration fees would either only generate about 25% of INDOT's needed revenue stream, or 50% depending how much the vehicle fee is increased. Thus, other solutions to boost revenue have to looked into as well, such as tolls and an infrastructure fee tacked on to utility bills.

Also, by 2030 or 2035, it's possible the world will be awash in oil as electric vehicles become more prevalent. As a result, oil prices may plummet, leading to lower costs at the pump. This will provide an opening to jack up the gas tax as the hit to the consumers' wallets will be softened.

Of course, raising the sales tax by a penny would help solve the problem, but in Indiana, the world would have to split in half before that would happen.

I wouldn't have a problem with this as long as it didn't apply to those 65+.

Yes, seniors on low- and medium-fixed incomes have to be accommodated in some way, perhaps through a reduced fee. On the other hand, there's a large 65 and older cohort that are well off, with vacation homes and luxury cars in the garage. There would need to be some sort application process to determine who qualifies for the reduced fee.

Heh.  Note that the original request didn't have an income threshold...

[NWI_Irish96]

My solution: No toll for the first two axles, 10 cents per mile for each additional axle