PILOT PROGRAM PERMITS TOLLS ON INTERSTATES; MISSOURI DOESN'T RULE OUT IDEA

Motorists may no longer have a free ride on some of the nation's interstate highways.

For the first time since the inception of the interstate highway system more than 40 years ago, it could cost to drive on some interstates.

Congress has opened the door to interstate toll roads: The new, $200 billion federal transportation law includes a plan to let three states convert interstates into toll roads under a pilot project.

The goal is to provide a mechanism to help states maintain the aging freeways. The interstates carry about 20 percent of the nation's traffic.

Officials in Arkansas and Pennsylvania have expressed interest in charging fees to use parts of their interstate system. A section of Interstate 4 in Florida around Orlando also has been mentioned as a possible toll road.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is studying the idea. John Cauwenbergh, who keeps track of legislation for MoDOT, said tolls could help Missouri better maintain its interstate highways.

But state highway officials aren't certain if Missouri could operate a toll road without changing the state constitution. Any change in the constitution would have to be done by voters, Cauwenbergh said.

Missouri doesn't have a single toll road.

"Obviously, we are interested in this, but we have to examine all the requirements of the federal language," he said Tuesday.

MoDOT wants to keep its options open. Cauwenbergh said, "We are looking at this with our eyes wide open, and we're not going to throw anything out."

Cauwenbergh doesn't know how long it will take MoDOT to review the toll-road plan.

The federal highway law would allow tolls to be charged on an interstate highway in each of three states.

Cauwenbergh said a state couldn't charge tolls on all the interstate highways in its borders.

Missouri, for example, would have to single out one of its interstate highways if it were to apply to participate in the pilot program, he said.

Participating states would have to enter into an agreement with the federal government in which they promise to use the toll revenue solely for maintenance and improvements to those interstate highways.

The American Trucking Association has said it would oppose any effort to charge tolls on freeways.

Congress already has made exceptions for bridges and tunnels and has allowed tolls to be charged on congested freeways in San Diego County, Houston and Norfolk, Va.

The "congestion" tolls, approved by Congress in 1991, allow single drivers to drive in car-pool lanes if they pay a fee.

The new federal highway bill would allow for 15 more congestion tolls on interstate highways and federally funded state routes.

Last year the Clinton administration initially proposed letting all the states decide whether to turn their interstate highways into toll roads. The plan later was abandoned for the more limited, pilot program.