May 07, 2025 News Release

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Approves 2026 Annual Budget and 10-Year Capital Plan

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Today, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) unanimously approved the 2026 Annual Budget and the 2026-2036 Capital Plan. The $459.7 million operating budget represents less than 2% growth from the current year, and the 10-year Capital Plan invests $8 billion in infrastructure – supporting bridges, total reconstruction, interchanges, maintenance, tunnel rehabilitation, facilities and IT.

As an independently operated toll road, the PA Turnpike receives no tax dollars and is supported by toll revenue. The PA Turnpike projects $1.8 billion of revenue in the new year, with nearly $1 billion funding debt service.

The burden of the imposed debt from Act 44 of 2007 has made it even more critical for the PA Turnpike to continue its conservative budgeting strategy, focusing on cost management, debt reduction and prioritization of capital plan projects. Act 44 of 2007 mandated that the PA Turnpike fund statewide transportation projects beyond the toll system. For nearly two decades, the PA Turnpike has maintained a flat operating budget and remained consistent to the Act 44 financial plan it laid out in 2007, all while continuing to provide customers with a safe and reliable roadway that supports national mobility.

“We are proud of the work we are doing to control operating expenses, which is key to the financial stability of the PA Turnpike,” said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary and PA Turnpike Commission Chair Mike Carroll. “We continue to maintain our highway to the highest standards while responsibly managing our finances, this year’s operating budget will see only a 1.9% increase from last continuing to keep the Commission lean while still delivering on our commitments.”

Traffic volume is up 1.4% compared to the same period in 2024. Passenger vehicle traffic remains at 95% of peak 2019 levels while commercial vehicle traffic continues to be 15% above 2019 levels through the most recently completed fiscal year. Toll revenues are projected to grow 7% in 2026 compared to estimates used in 2024 due Act 44 toll increase and growth in traffic volumes.

ADVANCING SAFETY

The approved budget allocates $545.8 million of the $900.1M capital plan budget for 2026 into the system’s infrastructure – enhancing safety, reducing congestion and providing a more efficient travel experience for PA Turnpike customers. The Total Reconstruction program is a system-wide initiative that expands the PA Turnpike, increasing capacity while making the corridor safer, smoother and more efficient for incident response and removal. This year’s budget allocates funds for more than 20 reconstruction projects statewide. Beyond the Total Reconstruction program, the PA Turnpike is continuing two major bridge replacement projects at Beaver River and Hawk Falls.

The 2026 budget also supports $76 million for the Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, which provides dedicated, 24/7 coverage.

EASTERN REGION

The Hawk Falls Bridge Replacement Project brings a new steel arch bridge over Mud Run, realigning the Northeast Extension onto the new bridge and building a new structure over State Route 534. Crews have returned to work on deck placement for the superstructure of the new 720-foot Hawk Falls bridge in Carbon County. The $88 million project is anticipated to be done by fall 2026.

“Investments in infrastructure are an investment in progress,” said PA Turnpike Commissioner Pat Deon. “This year's capital plan improves safety and reliability on our roadway, just look at the work we are doing with the bridge replacements on the Northeast Extension to enhance the driving experience for our customers. That commitment carries over as we reconfigure interchanges with the next phase of Open Road Tolling.”

Now that gantries are live East of Reading and on the Northeast Extension, the PA Turnpike is removing toll plazas from interchange locations. The removal of toll plazas, which will be completed by 2026, is the driving force behind the safety benefits of ORT, allowing for a more natural, free traffic flow. Once the toll plazas are removed, each interchange will be reconstructed to provide an unobstructed traffic flow for customers.

WESTERN REGION

The Beaver River Bridge Replacement Project constructs two new bridges to the north of the current bridge, expands the roadway from Milepost 12–14 to three lanes in each direction and widens the shoulders and median. Pier tables are currently under construction on the eastbound bridge and have been completed on the westbound side. Each bridge is a five-span, cast-in-place, segmental bridge that is 1,645 feet long and 200 feet high. The westbound bridge structure is anticipated to open in mid-2026 with the entire project finished in 2027.

In 2027, ORT will go live in the western region, modernizing the entire system to meet customer expectations for safer, seamless and nonstop travel. Gantry construction in the western section is currently underway. The switch to ORT east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension began this past January. In an ORT system, tolls are charged electronically as customers drive at highway speeds without slowing down or stopping beneath overhead structures — called gantries — located between interchanges. Equipment on the gantry and in the roadway processes E-ZPass or Toll By Plate transactions.

“Investments in infrastructure are an investment in progress,” said PA Turnpike Commissioner Sean Logan. “This year's capital plan improves safety and reliability on our roadway, just look at the work we are doing with the bridge replacements on the Northeast Extension to enhance the driving experience for our customers. That commitment carries over as we reconfigure interchanges with the next phase of Open Road Tolling.”

ENHANCING CUSTOMER SERVICE

The approved budget includes a $38 million investment in 2026 for the PA Turnpike’s Unified Back Office System (UBOS). The PA Turnpike is developing a new back-office system to meet ever-changing consumer needs and provide a more streamlined and seamless customer experience. Once the new system rolls out in 2027, customers will have access to a one-stop shop approach and can expect to see several enhancements:

Enhanced self-service capabilities
Increased payment options
More convenient and accessible communication channels
More personalized interactions
More efficient problem-solving

EMBRACING GROWTH

As the PA Turnpike prepares to expand Open Road Tolling (ORT) west of Reading, this year’s budget allocates funds to expand its Fiber Optic Broadband Network, supports interchange conversion and reconfiguration, and construct new gantry sites and implement tolling technology.

The approved budget and previous budgets can be found here.

The 10-year Capital Plan can be found here.

For more information, follow the PA Turnpike on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn, or visit the PA Turnpike’s website.

A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.

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Media Contacts:

Marissa Orbanek, PA Turnpike, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com

Crispin Havener, PA Turnpike Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com