Michigan’s major roadways currently don’t require tolls. And maybe they never will.

But some lawmakers in Michigan are interested in at least exploring the option, backing legislation to task the Michigan Department of Transportation with studying tolling to see if it’s possible in some of the state’s high-traffic corridors.

Senate Bill 517 would task the department with hiring a consulting firm putting together a tolling feasibility study and strategic implementation plan designed to analyze how much money tolls could bring in on major roadways, incorporating factors like possible traffic diversions, how many people are using the roads and who’s using them most.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Sen. John Bizon, R-Battle Creek, and is supported by MDOT. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also said she’s open to a conversation about tolling, particularly when it comes to bridges.

Currently, 34 states implement some form of tolling on roads, bridges or tunnels. And Michigan isn’t the only state where officials are considering the possibility as infrastructure funding needs grow, said Pat Jones, executive director and CEO of the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association, an organization representing tolling owners and operators.

“Almost every state is looking for new revenues to support the maintenance and reconstruction of its highways,” he said. “Michigan is definitely not alone in looking at this.”

The proposal is currently before the full Senate, and would need to be approved by the Senate, House and governor to become law. Even if it’s signed, it would be a while before any results are released - the legislation would give the department 18 months to compile and present the study’s findings.

In a March interview with MLive, Whitmer said tolling was worthy of discussion, but wouldn’t raise enough money to address all of Michigan’s road funding concerns, noting Ohio officials supported raising the state’s gas tax even though Ohio toll roads generate millions of dollars each year.

Michigan’s peninsula status also poses challenges that states like Ohio don’t face, Whitmer said: "Tolls are more complicated for us because we’re a destination state.”

Another big hurdle for toll roads in Michigan? The federal government generally prohibits states from tolling existing lanes of the interstate highway system, although there are some exceptions to that rule. If Michigan were to seriously pursue tolling, potential options include seeking federal approval to add new lanes on existing roads funded by tolls or participating in a federal tolling pilot program.

State Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, which reported the legislation to the Senate floor a few weeks ago. He said he isn’t interested in wading into the debate on whether or not Michigan should have tolls until more concrete data is available - that’s where the proposed study comes in.

“Any time you talk about tolling, it naturally elicits that response that is pretty energized on both sides of the debate on how we should do it,” he said. “I’m more focused on whether or not we even can.”

Barrett said he hasn’t gotten much pushback on the idea of studying the issue, and hopes a more in-depth look of what tolling might look like could better inform road funding policy discussions going forward.

“If we’re making decisions relative to governing the state and tackling the problems we have, we need to consider all options available - this is one option we need to explore,” he said. “If it is an option, then we can have the debate.”

Some opponents of tolling are concerned the study could be the first step towards implementing tolls in Michigan.

Stephanie Kane, spokesperson for the Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates - a group representing organizations and businesses opposed to tolling - said she’s concerned a feasibility study could overproject possible revenues and underestimate the impacts traffic diversion could have on local communities if people go out of their way to avoid toll routes.

As Michigan and other states look for avenues to fund their roads, tolls are “the worst tool in the toolbox” because of the cost of building out the infrastructure to collect and maintain them and the negative impacts they can have on local businesses and residents, Kane said.

“Tolls will always most heavily impact the local communities where they’re located,” she said.

Jones contends that in areas with high traffic volume near major urban areas, tolling has proven an effective user fee that can help free up state funding for other road projects, and is an alternative that gets around increased vehicle efficiency that leads to less gas tax revenue.

“It can be a very powerful and effective tool, but it’s a decision for the people of Michigan to make,” Jones said.

The idea was originally introduced as part of a menu of policy proposals lawmakers suggest could make a dent in Michigan’s road funding needs, estimated by experts to hover around billions of dollars per year.

Earlier this year, Whitmer recommended a 45-cent gas tax hike implemented over time as a means to boost funding for roads, although that idea was soundly rejected by Republicans. The road funding conversation has stalled for now as lawmakers and the administration continue to work through disagreements over the state’s budget.

Other road policy ideas recently proposed in the legislature include allowing local governments to levy their own fuel taxes and registration fees, revamping the registration fee system based on how fuel efficient a car is and requiring more reporting for local and state agencies.

Related links:

Should Michigan have toll roads? Some senators want study on whether they would work

Michigan counties could have local fuel taxes, registration fees under House bills

8 ideas being floated to fix Michigan roads