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HARRISBURG (August 6, 2008) -- Motorists who enroll in the
E-ZPass program will be eligible
for a toll incentive program for trips on I-80 under a preliminary tolling system outlined today by
representatives of the PA Turnpike Commission.
The system would ensure that tolls would not begin until the second toll collection point for twoaxle
passenger cars using
E-ZPass – an incentive that would reduce possible traffic diversions to
local roads by 60 to 80 percent. The system is designed to encourage use of E-ZPass while
ensuring significant savings for passenger cars. The Turnpike unveiled the tolling
recommendations and potential locations for toll collection points on the 311-mile interstate in a
statewide news conference today.
"We're still working through the traffic and revenue studies and we want to hear from the
residents, obviously, before we make any final decisions or recommendations but E-ZPass just
makes so much sense for so many reasons. We have made a commitment to take into
consideration the impact on local residents who use I-80 as 'Main Street' if you will - to visit the
doctor, to go to work or shopping," said Turnpike CEO Joseph Brimmeier.
"E-ZPass makes so much sense for a lot of reasons: It reduces the cost for passenger cars. It
reduces our cost to collect the tolls. It reduces the potential diversion of traffic onto local roads,”
Brimmeier added.
The Commonwealth is seeking Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) permission to toll I-80 as
mandated by Act 44, the state’s landmark transportation funding law. Act 44 calls for increased
tolls on the current Turnpike system and new tolls on I-80.
Under Act 44, annual Turnpike payments to PennDOT will average more than $1 billion over the
next 12 years or almost $1.7 billion a year over 50 years.
Act 44 authorizes up to 10 tolling locations along I-80. However, the draft plan outlined today calls
for nine collection points. There are 20 potential locations under review, from which the final nine
collection points will be identified. (Please see attached map and listing of potential toll collection
locations.)
“We want the public to look at all of the potential locations and we need their feedback,”
Brimmeier said. “We’ve made a commitment to keep the public informed and engaged and that’s
exactly what we are doing.”
Brimmeier reiterated the Turnpike’s commitment to minimizing the economic impact on
communities across the corridor.
He noted the toll incentive program will reduce the impact on local drivers. Preliminary traffic
studies indicate that more than 70% of all I-80 cars entering and exiting I-80 will not pay a toll.
The Turnpike will also offer volume discounts for commercial vehicles that use
E-ZPass. This
discount will mirror the current incentive offered on the Turnpike’s existing system.
The Commonwealth submitted its amended FHWA application on July 22, 2008. The cornerstone
of the application is a detailed capital plan that calls for $2.5 billion in investment in the first
decade alone – four times the current investment on the Interstate. More than half of Interstate 80
is 35 to 50 years old and is reaching its expected life. The bridges and pavement need to be
reconstructed.
Without the projected toll revenue from I-80, the state will not have enough funding to repair and
ultimately rebuild the Interstate.
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