A proposal designed to bring a toll road to Little Cottonwood Canyon sped past its first obstacle Wednesday — with hints that toll roads may spread statewide and become a major funding replacement for current gasoline taxes.
The Senate Transportation Committee voted 7-0 to endorse SB71 to make it easier for the state to use electronic tolling. Among the provisions: allowing new systems that avoid toll booths by using TV cameras to read license plates of passing cars, deduct tolls from online accounts or send bills to the vehicle’s owner.
Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, whose district includes Little Cottonwood Canyon, said he is sponsoring the bill in large part to more easily allow a toll road there to reduce congestion.