August 25, 2016 5:42 PM

Well ahead of session, Senate Transportation Chair makes early defense of toll roads

Chairman Nichols tells county officials “If people know the facts and then they still don’t want it, that’s fine. I want to make sure they make a decision based upon the facts.”

A key lawmaker is arguing that an additional $38 billion in transportation funding should be no reason for lawmakers to toss toll roads out as a transportation option next session.

Sen. Robert Nichols, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, said a vocal, but small, group of lawmakers continue to lobby for the elimination of toll roads. So Nichols took out his calculator to determine the cost of a tax road versus a toll road.

By Kimberly Reeves