New Indiana Bill could take a toll on drivers

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- A new bill passed by Indiana lawmakers could pave the way for tolls on more major highways across the state, and many Hoosiers aren’t happy about it.

Under House Bill 1461, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) would be allowed to explore tolling on additional roadways without conducting feasibility studies. The bill also removes a previous restriction that barred tolling within 75 miles of an existing toll road.

A spokesperson from Governor Braun’s office issued a statement Monday night, saying:

"No decisions have been made, but tolling has to be considered to maintain our current and future infrastructure, and we are exploring all potential options."

Supporters of the bill argue that Indiana’s current road funding model, primarily reliant on gasoline taxes, can no longer keep up with infrastructure demands. With more drivers switching to fuel-efficient or electric vehicles, state and local revenues are shrinking.

St. Joseph County Engineer Sky Medors says local governments are now faced with a multibillion-dollar funding gap just to maintain existing roads and bridges, making it difficult to keep up the roads locally.

"None of the highway department itself is funded through property tax," Medors said. "It’s all through the gas tax and the wheel tax and trying to leverage that to meet all the needs we have in the county is quite the task."

At a rest stop off U.S. 31 near South Bend, a highway that currently remains untolled many drivers voiced frustration about the possibility of paying more to travel roads they’ve used for years.

Although the legislation makes it easier for the state to implement tolling, officials say no final decisions have been made. Any new tolling proposals would still need to go through additional processes.