Ohio River Bridges Project board passes five resolutions to improve tolling system
The Joint Board for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project met today and approved five resolutions related to operations of the RiverLink tolling system.
One of the resolutions was the approval of TransCore LP as the new roadside provider (RSP2). Roadside services include installing, operating and maintaining the roadside equipment used to capture vehicle crossings on tolled bridges and determine vehicle classification (number of axles and vehicle height). The new contract will result in significant improvements to the current roadside system.
Roadside tolling equipment typically has a 7- to 10-year lifespan. Tolling started at the end of 2016. TransCore is expected to have its equipment and systems in place by next year.
The current contract for roadside services and back office services is with Kapsch TrafficCom (TSP). The Joint Board approved a resolution in June 2020 to separate contracts for back office and roadside services.
Electronic Transaction Consultants (ETC) was selected as the back office provider (TSP2) in June 2021. Back office services include image review, invoicing and customer service centers. ETC’s operations also will be in place in 2023.
Toll Collection Resolution
In another resolution passed today, the Joint Board selected Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott LLP to assist with Collections. The new vendor will collect outstanding tolls and fees and help ensure that all drivers using the tolled bridges pay their fair share.
This contract will be a performance-based agreement with no upfront costs to RiverLink. The vendor will be paid based on a percentage of unpaid tolls they collect. Outstanding tolls and fees will move to Collections after four unpaid invoices are sent. Vehicle owners in Kentucky and Indiana may also face vehicle registration holds for seriously delinquent accounts.
Additional Resolutions
A third resolution passed today authorizes a change order with Kapsch TrafficCom, which has served as the Toll System Provider (TSP1) since 2015. The change order recognizes changes in the TSP’s scope of work to successfully transition back office services to a new provider.
A fourth resolution approved by the Joint Board authorizes a change order with Kapsch TrafficCom regarding billable rates for customer service activities. The adjustment is intended to address the tight labor market and to support recruitment and retainment of experienced employees to improve customer service.
The final resolution passed today authorizes the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to act as the Contracting Party for one or more procurements related to marketing and public relations services. C2 Strategic Communications has provided both public relations and marketing services for RiverLink since 2017.
Joint Board
The Joint Board includes transportation and finance leaders from Indiana and Kentucky. It’s made up of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) commissioner, the Indiana public finance director, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet secretary and the Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority (KPTIA) chairman, or their designees.
The Joint Board was created to have long-term oversight and management responsibility for the Ohio Rivers Bridges Project. Bi-state tolling representatives handle the day-to-day administration of the tolling system.