Joe Brimmeier, CEO, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

In the wake of the recent decision from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that they cannot move the Commonwealth’s application to toll Interstate 80 forward at this time, many of you have contacted our team seeking additional background and answers to critical questions. I would like to take this opportunity to address those questions while providing an update on our efforts to implement Act 44 and to help Pennsylvania address our well-documented transportation funding shortfall.

Act 44 established a unique Public-Public Partnership between PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) that has generated a tremendous return for this state. Since July, 2007, we have provided PennDOT with $962 million in new transportation funding that is being put to work across the state.

It is important to note these financial benefits of the act:

• Act 44 will generate $2.5 billion in new transportation funding in a 3-year period without I-80 tolls.
• In year one, 2007-2008, the Turnpike provided $750 million.
• The Turnpike will provide $850 million in the present fiscal year (the first FY 2008-09 quarterly payment of $212.5 million was made in July and the next quarterly payment of $212.5 million will be made in October).
• In FY 2009-10, the Turnpike will provide $900 million for roads, bridges and public transportation agencies across Pennsylvania

Significantly, our financial model for the first three years of Act 44 is based entirely on revenue generated from the Turnpike’s current system did not rely on any revenue from I-80 tolls. Consequently, we do not anticipate any negative impact whatsoever on our bond rating or long-term financial outlook as a result of the Sept. 11 FHWA memorandum.

We are disappointed that FHWA has decided that it cannot move our application forward at this time. We believe that we have met all of the statutory and regulatory requirements and that our application warrants approval.

Our objective at the PTC has always been to assist the commonwealth by offering viable alternatives to supplement the state’s transportation budget. The Commission created this website because we believe it is in the best interest of the citizens of Pennsylvania to

• Reinvest our toll dollars in our transportation system.
• Share the costs of transportation improvements in a fair and balanced manner so that one portion of the state does not pay for the entire Commonwealth.

The ongoing funding stream provided under Act 44 means that General Assembly members have ample time to carefully consider the options and choose a funding mechanism that is best for Pennsylvania. If called upon again, we are ready to do whatever we can to help ensure Pennsylvania’s ground-transportation network remains adequately funded and viable for years to come.

Please review the information we present, ask questions and get involved. Go on record with your thoughts on privatizing the Turnpike by writing to your state and local representatives. The decisions that are made today will affect our state economy and our ability to attract and maintain jobs for decades to come.

- Joe Brimmeier, CEO