Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Chairman Sean Logan stepped down Feb. 23 to join the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Gov. Tom Wolf expects to nominate his replacement on the Turnpike Commission in the coming weeks.
Logan will make $145,000 a year at the Gaming Control Board, up from the $28,500 he was paid at the Turnpike Commission.
The former Monroeville mayor was appointed to the Turnpike Commission in July 2013 and was named chairman in January 2015.
His chairmanship oversaw some tragedies and milestones.
The commission was criticized in early 2016 after a major storm dumped over two feet of snow and stranded motorists for 24 hours in the Allegheny Mountains. The incident gained national attention as motorists posted images and videos on social media. State officials scrutinized the turnpike's actions, and the commission was criticized for not closing the highway earlier or acting quicker to assist stranded motorists. Logan apologized.
That incident was followed by an armed robbery attempt at the Fort Littleton Interchange in March. A toll-booth collector, security contractor and the offender were killed.
Logan's chairmanship also oversaw some advancements, including increasing the speed limit to 70 mph across much of the turnpike system, as well as progress of the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway projects.
Logan, a former Democratic state senator from Plum, was sworn in as the newest member of the agency that oversees slot machines and casino gambling in the state. He replaced Gregory Fajt of Mount Lebanon, whose term expired. State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) appointed Logan to the new post.
"I think Sean was a very good commission member and would be a very good asset to the gaming board as they potentially implement [internet] gaming and other gaming activity," Costa said.
Costa, the top-ranking Senate Democrat, said he will recommend people with a strong transportation and finance background to the governor to replace Logan on the Turnpike Commission. Confirmation by two-thirds of the state Senate is required.
