The toll-free drive between the Breezewood and Bedford interchanges results from enactment of the Transportation Equity Act (TEA 21) which includes a provision inserted by Congressman Bud Shuster of Everett lifting tolls on that section of the Turnpike during the Route #30 construction project.

According to Bill Capone, the Turnpike’s director of marketing, the toll-free ride only applies to traffic which "enters at the Bedford Interchange and exits at the Breezewood Interchange, or enters at the Breezewood Interchange and exits at the Bedford Interchange."

There will be no reduction in tolls for thru traffic, or for vehicles that get on at Breezewood and travel to exits other than Bedford, or get on at Bedford and travel to exits other than Breezewood.

"The purpose of waving tolls for those travelling between the Breezewood and Bedford interchanges is solely to provide a by-pass for the temporary congestion expected to result from construction on Route #30. Since the Turnpike parallels Route #30 in that area it is a logical alternate route for local residents," explained Capone. "Tolls for long distance traffic travelling past those two exits will remain unchanged."

Capone explained that travelers entering and exiting the two affected interchanges will still have to receive and surrender their toll tickets in order for the Turnpike to maintain and monitor its ticket fare collection system.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will be compensated by the federal government for toll revenue which will be lost due to the lifting of tolls between Breezewood and Bedford. Necessary adjustments to the Turnpike’s fare collection system will allow the toll-free ride to begin this fall.