Stripped of language allowing permanent highway tolls, bill clears the Senate
The Senate Thursday approved a bill that will make it easier to create public-private partnerships for transportation construction projects – but would not allow the state to maintain tolls on Georgia highways indefinitely.
As originally written, Senate Bill 183 would have allowed the State Road and Tollway Authority to collect tolls on certain highways indefinitely. However, a House of Representatives committee stripped that provision from the bill after a public outcry.
As it passed the Legislature, the bill makes it easier for SRTA to issue bonds and take other steps to encourage private investment in public road projects. The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 50 to 3. It now awaits the signature of Gov. Nathan Deal.
About the Author
David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
