Senator Eichelberger: Application to Toll Interstate 80 is Denied

Decision reignites hope for a ‘business-friendly’ Pennsylvania

For Immediate Release

Harrisburg, PA – Thursday, September 11, 2008, Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. received word that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has officially rejected the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s joint application to toll Interstate 80.

Tolling Interstate 80 was a key component of the Act 44 transportation funding bill, which John says was an ill-conceived attempt, presented by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, to address the Commonwealth’s transportation needs. He argued and voted against the passage of this bill.

“This is great news. As I stated from the outset, the application didn’t follow the FHWA’s criteria or any of its technical or statutory requirements. Act 44 should have never been signed into law,” John says. “The tolling of I-80 would have irreparably damaged the economy of this Commonwealth affecting all Pennsylvanians, not just those that reside in the I-80 corridor.”

John, along with nine other Senators, wrote two letters within the last nine months to United States Department of Transportation Secretary, Mary Peters, expressing clear opposition to the plan and asking for a very careful review of the application.

The FHWA stated today, “The planned use of toll revenues does not meet federal requirements as there is no basis to conclude that the proposed lease payments are legitimate operating costs,” and furthermore stated that “The Commonwealth’s application did not meet legal requirements for the correct use of toll revenue.”

The federal denial of this application is not subject to appeal and the application cannot be resubmitted, despite the Turnpike Commission’s assertions otherwise.

“Although this is good news, this decision creates a gaping hole in funding that the Commonwealth must now address. Hopefully the Governor and the Legislature will work on this issue swiftly and objectively without any undue influence from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission,” John says.

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