The department shall review projects for the possibility of constructing toll roads to defray the cost of these projects pursuant to the authority granted the department in Section 57-5-1330. No project may be funded by means of imposing a toll on the users of the project unless in conjunction with federal funds authorized for use on toll roads it is determined to be substantially feasible by the department. The funds derived from tolls must be:

1. (1) credited to the State Highway Fund or retained and applied by the entity or entities developing the toll road pursuant to an agreement authorized under Section 57-3-200 for the purpose of funding the cost of construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the toll project; or

2. (2) used to service bonded indebtedness for highway transportation purposes incurred pursuant to Paragraph 9, Section 13, Article X of the South Carolina Constitution.

   Upon repayment of the cost of construction and financing, toll charges shall cease.

HISTORY: 1995 Act No. 136, Section 2; 1996 Act No. 458, Part II, Section 92B.