Should CT Bring Back Highway Tolls? Residents Weigh In

A proposal to bring back highway tolls in Connecticut has revived a decades-old debate, and more than 1,300 Patch readers have weighed in on whether drivers should once again pay to use the state's highways.

The results show a closely divided audience, with a narrow majority supporting tolls. But support was higher when readers were asked whether they would favor tolls if the revenue helped reduce property taxes or eliminate the annual motor vehicle tax.

In a reader survey conducted between Oct. 27 and Nov. 7, 1,355 people responded to questions about reinstating interstate highway tolls, their driving habits and concerns about the proposal.

Of those respondents, 721, or 53%, supported bringing back highway tolls, while 634, or 47%, opposed the idea.

When asked whether they would support tolls if the revenue helped reduce property taxes or eliminate the car tax, 828 respondents, or 61%, said yes. Another 527, or 39%, said no.

Notably, 116 respondents who initially opposed tolls said they would support them under that tax-relief scenario.

Why Are Tolls Back In The Conversation?

The debate resurfaced in October after the Connecticut Citizens' Assembly on Property Taxes recommended implementing interstate highway tolls as part of a broader effort to reform the state's property tax system.

The assembly, which brought together approximately 100 residents, included tolls among 10 recommendations in its final report.

According to the report, a 2023 state analysis estimated that tolls could generate approximately $950 million annually, with roughly 40% coming from out-of-state drivers.

Federal restrictions generally require toll revenue to fund eligible transportation expenses. The assembly proposed using that revenue to cover transportation costs, freeing up other state funds that lawmakers could potentially dedicate to property tax relief.

The proposal even made it to the gubernatorial debate stage last month, with both candidates opposing tolls.

"Nobody wanted to do that," Gov. Ned Lamont said, referring to his unsuccessful effort to introduce tolls during his first term. "We're not going to do that."

What Concerns Readers Most?

Whether toll revenue would actually lower taxes emerged as the most frequently selected concern.

Of the 1,355 respondents, 934 questioned whether toll revenue would reduce taxes, 695 cited additional costs for Connecticut drivers, 564 were concerned about commuters and 324 cited effects on businesses and transportation. Respondents could select multiple concerns.

What Readers Had To Say

Supporters frequently pointed to the possibility of collecting revenue from out-of-state drivers and reducing existing taxes.

"There are many out-of-state drivers who should help support the cost of maintaining our roads and it would lower costs for in-state drivers like motor vehicle taxes," one Brookfield respondent wrote.

Others supported tolls only if the state provided greater transparency about how the money would be spent.

"I only support it if there is 100% transparency as to where the money goes!" a Monroe respondent wrote.

Opponents questioned whether toll revenue would actually lead to lower taxes and raised concerns about additional expenses.

"I don't trust legislators to keep toll rates in check. I also have privacy concerns," a Waterbury respondent wrote.

"It's just another CT tax, it is naive to think politicians would lower property taxes once tolls went into effect," a Redding respondent wrote.

For now, highway tolls remain a recommendation rather than an approved policy. The Citizens' Assembly's proposals are expected to be discussed with state lawmakers ahead of the 2027 legislative session.