NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Toll Booths May Open In Tennessee

Toll Booths May Open In Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Federal highway cuts are leading to toll talks.

Last week, the federal government eliminated close to $70 million of Tennessee's highway dollars.

Some state lawmakers said tolls could raise the extra cash needed to jump-start important highway projects.

Tolls could become a reality in the Volunteer State.

On Monday, state House of Representatives passed a bill that would remove a cap on the number of toll projects that could be built in Tennessee.

Right now, most of Tennessee's road money comes from gas taxes.

Since 2005, the federal government has taken more than $230 million that was supposed to pay for Tennessee highway projects.

Some state lawmakers said toll money could patch the funding gap.

But drivers aren't so sure.

"If they're going to keep on taxing us like this on gas, I mean how's a toll road going to help us? Seems like they're coming to dig deeper in our pockets and let us foot the bill for them," said Larry Coleman, a driver.

"We can't deal with toll roads right now. We don't need that. We're not even a big enough city for all that," said another motorist.

Some drivers are willing to give tolls the green light.

"You know you're going to have more upkeep for roads. You're going to have more people wanting to expand roads. The money has got to come from somewhere," said Matt Roeder, a driver.

"I think it might not be a bad idea because I can see the progress that has been made around the city," said Sharon James, another motorist. "Traveling is much easier. So go for it."

Others said it's a question of money management whether the highway money comes from gas taxes or toll dollars.

If tolls become a reality, officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation said the money they raise would not balance the budget. The tolls would act more as a band aid for some projects.

The federal government is making the latest round of highway cuts because of skyrocketing construction costs.

TDOT has 30 days to tell the federal government where they plan to cut the $66 million.