Gov. Rendell expects I-80 news within two weeks
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HARRISBURG -- Gov. Ed Rendell expects the feds to say something about the proposed Interstate 80 tolls in about two weeks, but he's not sure if it will be a green light, a red light or just a request for more information.
He said he had a "great meeting'' recently with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in Washington, where a team of Pennsylvania transportation officials and lawyers "made a great presentation'' on why Pennsylvania needs the additional revenue that tolling I-80 would bring.
Mr. Rendell said he was "optimistic'' that the tolling authority would be granted, although obviously nothing is for sure.
"We should hear something in the next two weeks,'' he said. "But there was no indication from the secretary if it would be a yes, a no or a 'we need more information'.''
Act 44 of 2007 would generate $900 million to $950 million a year to improve state roads, bridges and mass transit. Two-thirds of the money would come from annual increases in tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which have already begun taking effect. The rest would come from the I-80 tolls.
If those tolls are approved by July 1, the state will have $922 million for roads, bridges and mass transit in fiscal 2010-11. But if the tolls aren't approved, only $450 million will be available, $250 million for the Port Authority, SEPTA and other transit agencies, plus $200 million for roads and bridges statewide, which officials agree is far less than what is needed.
Even if the feds say yes, the toll gantries wouldn't actually be in place by July 1 along the 311-mile interstate that runs from New Jersey to Ohio. But additional revenue could be borrowed for 2010-11, based on the greater toll revenue that lenders know will be coming to the state.
First Published March 29, 2010 2:01 pm
