CLEARFIELD – The possibility of Interstate 80 has reared its controversial head again.
On Tuesday the Clearfield County Commissioners discussed the topic and what could be done to prevent it.
Commissioner Mark McCracken said that a recent article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette alerted the commissioners that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was going to reapply to the Federal Highway Administration for permission to toll I-80.
The potential for tolling I-80 came about due to Act 44.
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. Money from the Pennsylvania Turnpike is currently being designated to help fund the public transportation crisis.
The FHWA turned down the Turnpike Commission in September 2008. According to a prior Gant story, the FHWA stated, “Tolling interstates is a viable option for many states to fund highway improvements or to improve performance conditions,” 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 commissioners opposed the proposition the first time around and continue with that stance.
McCracken said the root of the problem is Act 44. McCracken said that if Act 44 were overturned, the Turnpike Commission would not have the authority to seek I-80 tolling.
McCracken called for a non-partisan group of legislators from the I-80 corridor come together to oppose Act 44 in Harrisburg.
Commissioner Chair Joan Robinson-McMillen said that until the act is taken off the books, counties along the I-80 corridor are at the whim of the Turnpike Commission.
“Our legislators, once and for all, need to repeal Act 44,” said McMillen.
Commissioner John Sobel said the possibility of I-80 tolling has a “chilling” effect, driving business away from the I-80 corridor.
“It’s like Dracula,” said Sobel. “It keeps coming back.”
“I think the voters have sent a message to Harrisburg,” said McMillen. “We do not want I-80 tolled and won’t stand for it.
“It’s time our legislators in Harrisburg balanced the budget and not at the taxpayers’ expense.”
