5/15/09-Rep. John E. Pallone, D-Armstrong-Westmoreland, has offered non-binding legislation to convert Interstate into a toll road.
House Resolution 307 urges the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to complete the application and submit it to the Federal Highway Administration.
The debate over interstate tolling heated up in 2007 when Pennsylvania state lawmakers passed Act 44, shifting control of I-80 from PennDOT to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Act 44 called for I-80 to be tolled, but FHWA officials chose not to accept the application into one of the administration’s handful of pilot programs involving tolls.
An important part of the debate for truckers and highway users is that revenue from I-80 tolls would go toward fixing other roads and bridges around the state. Pallone’s resolution mirrors Act 44 in that regard, saying toll revenue should be spread around to other state transportation needs.
The resolution is in the House Transportation Committee. For bill status, call 717-787-6732.