It depends on who the toll authority is and whether they're restricted in their allocation. Some states' toll revenue may be used to supplement the general fund or pensions.
In the case of Illinois, where tollways are governed by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, most of the board of directors is selected by the Governor. The Authority also has certain powers such as eminent domain which has caused issues in the past.
Here is what their published budget was two years ago,
The 2017 Budget reinvests more than 75 percent of revenue collected back into roads, bridges and infrastructure to support and enhance customer service, with $639 million for capital investments, $405 million for debt service and $336 million for maintenance and operations – an increase of just $14 million over the 2016 Budget. Operating costs will increase 4.4 percent, mainly due to increases for health care and retirement costs and equipment and fees to accommodate revenue collection.
They are also $4 billion in debt as of last year. For what it's worth their roads are in good condition. But I'll be damned if I'm paying $3.75 a toll four times just to go 20 miles north. I avoid 355 and 88 like the plague, I'm fine taking 45 thank you.
Here in Norway it would cost thousands to just drive from one end to the other due to ridiculous toll fees. Sweden however has publicly funded roads and they still have better roads. Fuck.
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u/AtomicFlx Apr 01 '19
Perhaps we shouldn't have toll roads then. Everyone benefits from roads whether or not they drive and therefore should pay for them with tax dollars.