Senate bill advances on building toll roads

A bill that could make it easier for the state to build toll roads moved to House, where it would face its last vote.

Early Monday, SB80 passed 11-3 out of the House Transportation Committee to the House floor.

Under SB80, the state would be authorized to enter into public-private partnerships to build toll roads. Under such a deal, private companies could pay for the right to build, manage and collect tolls on a road.

While lawmakers from western Salt Lake County oppose SB80, saying it provides a way to toll the Mountain View Corridor, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, says it's just a "tool" to help pay for needed roads.

Carlos Braceras, deputy director of the Utah Department of Transportation, said decisions about the Mountain View Corridor are independent of SB80. UDOT is currently studying whether to toll Mountain View, a freeway proposed to run from Salt Lake City to Lehi.

Also Monday, the House Transportation Committee passed out HB457. The bill requires a $25 surcharge on top of the fine for people who don't pay to use a toll road or toll lane.

The current fine for a tollway violation is about $75 for residents outside Salt Lake County. Within Salt Lake County, the fine is about $85.