No tolls, for now, on I-80

HARRISBURG – The Federal Highway Administration has shot down, for now, Pennsylvania’s plan to put tolls on Interstate 80.  Gov. Edward Rendell is not giving up, however.

The feds determined that tolling I-80 falls short of federal requirements.

“Tolling interstates is a viable option for many states to fund highway improvements or to improve performance conditions,” Federal Highway Administrator Tom Madison said. “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.”

The Federal Highway Administration said the Commonwealth’s application did not meet legal requirements for the correct use of toll revenue. Specifically, the application called for the Turnpike Commission to use toll revenue to pay annual lease payments to PennDOT. The federal agency noted that while under the program toll revenue can be used for lease payments, the amount of the payment is required to be based on an objective market valuation.

“If this proves to be the end of the misguided attempt to toll I-80, the federal rejection comes as a major relief to area motorists, workers, and employers”, said State Senator Lisa Baker.

Gov. Rendell had hoped to generate up to $1 billion a year from tolls on the highway that bisects the state.  Rendell told reporters today that he would push for quick privatization of the Pennsylvania Turnpike system.