CLEARFIELD – A room full of concerned members of the Clearfield Chamber of Commerce turned out at the Hampton Inn Friday morning to hear what the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has planned for Interstate 80.
Carl DeFebo Jr., media and public relations manager for the PTC, discussed the history of Act 44, the legislation recently signed by Gov. Edward G. Rendell in July. Act 44 is the result of a study that was done on the transportation crisis in Pennsylvania. That study looked at ways the problems facing roads, highways, bridges and mass transportation as well as ways to possibly solve those problems.
Act 44 authorizes a 50 year partnership between the PTC and PennDOT. PTC would in essence lease I-80 from PennDOT, paying PennDOT an estimated $1.67 billion per year. That money would be used to fund road and bridge rehabilitation across the state, according to DeFebo. He also pointed out that that no money from the I-80 tolls would be used for public transportation. That funding help would come from tolling on the Turnpike.
“There’s an uncertain future,” DeFebo said of the project. “But we’ve been charged with forging ahead.”
He added that I-80 mainenance would be on the PTC’s shoulders. He said that they would look at each PennDOT facility along the interstate, find out how many people are needed for that area, who has the proper credentials, and those people would be integrated into the PTC. He said that some additional hiring may be needed as well. DeFebo indicated that those workers not integrated by the PTC would be redistributed by PennDOT. He also said that the PTC employs their own emergency management and fire personnel.
DeFebo said that Rendell is looking at privitization of tolling as a backup in case the plan for the PTC falls through. The PTC recently submitted an expression of interest to the Federal Highway Administration under a pilot tolling program. The administration will look at which tolling and pricing programs best fit the project under federal law.
Those gathered questioned items like finances and gave recommendations for alternatives to tolling I-80. One such alternative was a gas tax increase. DeFebo said that the PTC’s position when all of this was in the works was for a gas tax increase. He reiterated however that the TPC has been charged with undertaking this project.
DeFebo said that the commission is currently studying where to best put tolling booths. He said that since the PTC is allowed a maximum of 10 toll plazas along the interstate, mainy trips could be free. He said that while they the PTC is allowed 10, there may be less. He noted that someone may be able travel up to 40 miles before hitting a toll plaza.
DeFebo also noted that I-80 will mirror the Pennsylvania Turnpike as far as tolling is concerned. He said that if there is an increase in tolling on the Turnpike, there will be an increase on I-80. He said that the PTC has the ability to rase rates on a yearly cost-of-living basis, from 2.5 to 3 percent. He said that while the PTC has that option, they do not always raise fees on a yearly basis.
People representing the trucking industry expressed concerns over the higher costs of doing business because of the tolls. Sam Lansberry of Samual J. Lansberry Trucking pointed out that many truck drivers will look for a more inexpensive route.
“We truckers aren’t stupid,” commented Lansberry. “We will figure out a way to go around the tolls.”
DeFebo said that is a possiblity, but that ulitmately truckers and trucking companies would have to look at what they are willing to pay to travel.
One concern that branched off of that topic was that of public safety. Comments were made that more truck traffic would come through rural areas to avoid the tolling. Others pointed out that the tolling of I-80 would contradict state efforts to increase tourism in central Pennsylvania. There was also concern over who would pay the ultimate price when truckers and truck companies and retail centers have to pay more to transport their goods.
“We need to hold our elected officials responsible,” said Joan Robinson McMillen.
Recent attempts have been made to repeal the act. Both state Rep. Camille “Bud”George, D-74 Houtzdale and state Sen. Joeseph scarnatti, R-25, Brockway voted yes to the bill.
As part of the process, DeFebo said that public meetings can be expected.