FHWA Denies Pennsylvania’s Plan to Toll I-80
The Federal Highway Administration said Thursday it has denied an application by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to toll Interstate 80.
“Tolling interstates is a viable option for many states to fund highway improvements or to improve performance conditions,” FHWA Administrator Tom Madison said in a statement.
“Because we are legally bound to ensure applications for this program meet all congressionally mandated requirements, however, we are regrettably unable to approve this application,” he said.
Pennsylvania had sought to toll I-80 as part of a multi-billion plan to fund infrastructure in the state. With the tolling application denied, the state legislature is likely to reexamine a proposal to lease the turnpike to a consortium between CitiBank and Spanish investment firm.
Last month, a coalition of highway users urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to nix the plan. FHWA is part of DOT.
“Overall, we’re pleased,” said John Lynch, vice president of federation relations for American Trucking Associations. “We realize that this means the debate about privatization of the turnpike, which we are equally opposed to, will be renewed.”
Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.), an opponent of the toll conversion, praised FHWA’s decision.
“I have repeatedly stated that the tolling of Interstate 80 would kill the future economic viability of the Commonwealth. Today, [DOT] agreed,” Peterson said in a statement.
“According to Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, the application to toll I-80 did not meet the technical and statutory requirements set forth by law,” he said.
Officials from the Turnpike Commission were unavailable to comment immediately.
“It’s a big win for truckers and highway users in Pennsylvania and for that matter across the country,” said Mike Joyce, director of government affairs for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
“The decision that DOT made on this is one that reverberates around the country because Pennsylvania really is the keystone state when it comes to a lot of these infrastructure issues,” Joyce said.
