Federal Highway Administration Provides
$1 Million To Help Texas Reduce Congestion

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today provided more than $1 million in federal grant funds to help Texas explore new ways to reduce congestion through projects like the study of tolling on the I-35 corridor in Waco.

The grants are part of the FHWA Value Pricing Pilot Program to fund testing and evaluation of innovative ways to reduce traffic congestion. The projects in Texas that will receive grants include studies on toll prices that vary according to traffic levels on the IH-10 in San Antonio and I-35 in Waco.

The landmark highway, transit and safety legislation signed in August by President Bush gives states more flexibility to use tolling, high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes and other congestion solutions to offer drivers more choices for a reliable trip. With HOT lanes, low-occupancy vehicles are charged a toll while high-occupancy vehicles may use the lane at no charge or at a discounted rate.

"The Bush Administration championed tolling in the new transportation law so states would have more innovative ways to tackle congestion and give drivers more choices to get home or to work," said Acting Federal Highway Administrator J. Richard Capka.

In addition to keeping lanes free flowing, tolling generates revenue for transportation improvements and expansion, according to Capka.

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FY '05 Value Pricing Pilot Program Grants

FHWA Press Room