As the federal government considers whether to approve Pennsylvania's application to toll Interstate 80 in accordance with State Act 44, it should keep in mind the following impacts: Tolling I-80 will provide $2.5 billion over 10 years to upgrade I-80 to current Interstate standards, including all-electronic tolling.
This amount is four times larger than the amount that PennDOT could spend on I-80.
Without toll revenue, I-80 bridges and highways will continue to deteriorate.
I-80 tolling will create thousands of good jobs through the next decade.
EZ Pass will allow 70 percent of cars (local residents) to benefit from the I-80 upgrade without paying a toll.
Truck tolls will be offset by the time and fuel savings of new climbing lanes and a new high-speed interchange at I-80/I-99.
Pennsylvania Act 44 of 2007, which required I-80 be tolled, was enacted on a bipartisan basis.
State representatives and senators voted 61 percent in favor of Act 44, and it was signed into law by Gov. Rendell. The elected officials were well aware of I-80 toll impacts when they supported Act 44.
It would be a shame if this information were lost to the federal government during its extended review of the I-80 tolling application.
Guest columnist Jim Scheiner is a
Former PennDOT Deputy Secretary
