- The Pennsylvania (PA) Turnpike was originally constructed in a remarkable 23-month period and opened for traffic on October 1, 1940, making it “America’s First Superhighway.”
- In July 2007, the PA Legislature addressed the transportation-funding challenge by passing Act 44, a historic and innovative strategy that authorized a 50-year Public-Public Partnership between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
- If the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grants approval, the conversion of the 311-mile I-80 corridor to a tolled facility will be the first tax-funded interstate converted to tolls in history.
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OUR Role
The role of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) changed substantially with the passage of Act 44 of 2007. The state’s only toll-road operator is now a statewide transportation funding partner.The historic Public-Public Partnership between the PTC and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) provides:
- $2.5 billion for roads, bridges and transit in the first four years, almost $2.3 billion as of January 29, 2010
- Funding for jobs that fuel the economy in every county in Pennsylvania
- The opportunity to apply to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for permission to place tolls on I-80 to fund its reconstruction and make quarterly lease payments to PennDOT
While the I-80 Toll Application is pending with FHWA, the PTC remains focused on the transportation needs of the Commonwealth.
To learn more about the I-80 toll conversion project, click here.
If I-80 were accepted to the federal Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program (ISRRPP), the PTC would be responsible for establishing an inflation-sensitive, long-term funding stream providing:
- $2.5 billion for the 10-year rehabilitation and reconstruction of I-80
- 50 years of dedicated funding for continued I-80 improvements and maintenance
- $83 billion over 50 years to PennDOT for transportation
Tolling I-80 would result in a more equitable funding system as the two major east/west interstate routes across the state would be tolled.
Without adding tolls to I-80, PennDOT will receive $60 billion less in transportation funding from the PTC over the next 50 years. While the funding partnership will continue, the payments will decrease substantially after FY 2010 (see chart below).
