Other improvements planned for RiverLink
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (Dec. 18, 2017) – The Joint Board and Tolling Body met today and approved amendments to bylaws and amended business rules for RiverLink, the all-electronic tolling system for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project.
The Joint Board and Tolling Body include transportation and finance leaders from Indiana and Kentucky. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) commissioner, the Indiana public finance director, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet secretary and the Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority (KPTIA) chairman, or their designees, make up the Joint Board. The Tolling Body includes the four Joint Board members and an appointed member from each state.
The Tolling Body determines toll rates and sets tolling policies. The Joint Board was created to have long-term oversight and management responsibility for the Ohio Rivers Bridges Project.
“For nearly one year, drivers have enjoyed a safer and faster commute with two new bridges, an improved Kennedy Bridge and new connections on both sides of the river,” said Greg Thomas, secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. “All-electronic tolling keeps traffic moving efficiently and at a value for those with transponders and prepaid accounts.”
When drivers have transponders and prepaid accounts in good standing, they always pay the lowest toll rates and never receive an invoice.
“In less than a year, the new bridges have transformed this region. Businesses and motorists are benefiting from greater access, mobility and safety,” said Joe McGuinness, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation. “We work with our partners daily to improve the tolling experience. Today’s actions are a direct result of listening to our customers’ concerns.”
The Tolling Body today approved amendments to business rules designed to improve the customer experience.
The Tolling Body voiced support for developing a “pay-by-plate” option. This will allow customers who cross a bridge to pay a toll without waiting for an invoice. Drivers would use their license plate and other information to pay a toll online at www.riverlink.com. The pay-by-plate option will have to be developed by the Project Team, but is expected to be in place by mid-2018.
The Tolling Body also approved a resolution allowing customer service representatives to waive tolls in the event of an accident that blocks access to toll-free routes and forces drivers to cross a tolled bridge. Tolls could be waived when traffic is diverted across a tolled bridge due to a temporary lane closure, resulting from an emergency on an interstate, immediately adjacent to and approaching a tolled bridge.
The Joint Board approved a resolution to change bylaws for meeting requirements. The Joint Board met regularly during the Bridges Project and launch of tolling. With that work complete, bylaws were amended to better meet the current needs of the project.
Bylaws created in 2013 called for quarterly meetings for the Joint Board. The amendment to the bylaws calls for the Joint Board to meet at least annually, or as needed, moving forward. Those bylaws served as a framework during construction of the bridges project and were not a statutory requirement. The Tolling Body will continue to meet at least annually, or as needed.
Bi-state tolling representatives handle the day-to-day administration of the tolling system.
Note: Resolutions and supporting documents from the meeting will be posted online: http://ift.tt/2yTWw7x. This will take you to the Joint Board and Tolling Body webpage (scroll down to find files).
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Find more information on RiverLink tolling, including answers to frequently-asked questions, at www.RiverLink.com.
Find more details on the Louisville – Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project at www.kyinbridges.com.
via East End Crossing http://ift.tt/2BcYNAI http://ift.tt/2yTzjCL
