News From the Standard-Journal

Toll foes: Turn to the turnpike or toll I-95

By Jeff Shaffer, Standard-Journal Staff writer
Friday, November 16, 2007, Reprinted with Permission

After this week, it’s becoming increasingly obvious how the Valley and others along Interstate 80 feel about Act 44.

Seemingly, the chief concern is that tolling on I-80 would be detrimental to the economic well-being of central Pennsylvania.

But if the 311 miles of I-80 are not tolled through a lease to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for much needed funds to repair aging roads and bridges, then what’s the answer?

Legislators who oppose the measure still seem to be in favor of leasing the turnpike instead, a plan that seemed to vanish quickly prior to the passing of Act 44 this summer, according to officials.

The idea of leasing the turnpike to a private organization is the key solution to state Sen. John Gordner. He has two provisions he’d like to add.

One is that the turnpike should be leased to an American company, for the same reason ports aren’t leased to foreign entities; it’s a matter of national security. The second proposal is to break down the turnpike into more manageable sections, such as from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg, the capital to Philadelphia and Philly up the Northeast Extension, according to Josh Funk, a legislative assistance to the state senator.

Funk added the turnpike was built to be a toll road, the interstate, structurally, was not.

Gordner’s reason for keeping I-80 a free highway mirrors that of many others — economic development.

State Rep. Merle Phillips has made his opposition to I-80 tolling public. He, too, would support the idea of leasing the turnpike, which would put the PTC out of business.

Phillips said he believes those who are paying for mass transit in Philadelphia are paying less than others in urban areas across the country.

It’s also been suggested that it would be better to toll Interstate 95, which runs through southeast Pennsylvania. It’s Phillips’ understanding that, unlike I-80, I-95 wouldn’t require federal approval for tolling purposes.

The longtime representative said he can only hope that enough would agree to repeal Act 44, or the Federal HighWay Commission (FHWC) will turn the plan down.

The possibility of raising the gas tax has been brought by some. However, Phillips said the state lawmakers have shown no support for it. The PTC has added that the gas tax hasn’t been able to keep up with inflation.

Locals continue beating the anti-tolling drum

At a joint forum of the Greater Susquehanna Valley and the Central PA Chambers of Commerce Friday in Lewisburg, locals again voiced their criticism of the act passed by state lawmakers in seemingly a short amount of time. It followed the governor’s proposal of leasing the turnpike.

“We know where the political powers lie,” said Dave Hall, president of the GSV chamber.

Steve Patton, president of Watsontown Trucking, who has been vocal this week about how his business would be affected, said PTC officials chose the wrong words when they said holding pubic meetings along the I-80 corridor has been an “emotional” undertaking. It’s an economic issue, he said.

Dennis Curtin, director of public relations for Weis Markets, said he, as with many others, was shocked by the passing of Act 44 without consultation from area businesses. Often trucks travel I-80 to deliver food to the Weis stores in the region. He said an extra $1 million in expenditures is expected if tolling becomes a reality in the next couple of years.

“This toll is a tax on a tax,” Curtin said, and added Weis already pays a $1 million in fuel tax.

Patton said he is already paying $180,000 to the state to have his trucks on the interstate. He projects tolls would cost more than $700,000 a year extra.

“If passed, it’s very likely this will passed on to the consumer,” Curtain said.

Patton added there is a lot of audacity behind that fact that the tolls would come with an annual 3 percent increase. He said if vendors were told there would be a 3 percent increase for trucking, they’d look elsewhere.

“I wish the government would understand competition,” he said.

Also making his feelings heard often this week, Mike Glazer of Lewisburg, representing U.S. Congressman John Peterson (R-5), said the delegate has been talking with members of the FHWC. However, he feels he may only be getting lip service from other elected officials. Glazer urges everyone to contact their representatives and make their voices heard. Links to various offices can be found of Peterson’s Web site, www.house.gov/johnpeterson.

Maria Culp, president and CEO of the Central Pa. Chamber, reminded those gathered Friday that everyone truly would be affected by I-80 tolling, and not for the better. Whether it’s because of expenses passed on to consumers or a hike in property tax because businesses have left.

Additional information on the opposition of I-80 is available on the chamber Web site, www.centralpachamber.com. There you can print out a petition, collect signatures and send it back to the chamber, which will be added to a report from a coalition of chambers to the state and federal lawmakers.

Jeff Shaffer: 570-742-9671
jeff@standard-journal.com