Right to Know Requests
Requests for public records must be submitted in writing and addressed to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s (PTC) Open Records Officer. Right‑to‑Know Law (RTKL) requests may be submitted in person, by mail, facsimile, or email. Written requests must identify or describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to enable the PA Turnpike to determine which records are being requested. All requests must include the requester’s name, United States mailing address, and, if applicable, email address where the PA Turnpike should send its response.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (PA OOR) has interpreted “sufficient specificity” to include a subject matter describing or identifying a transaction or activity of the agency, the type of record or the recipient of the record being sought, and a defined timeframe for the records requested.
If the PA Turnpike notifies a requester that a submission lacks sufficient specificity, the RTKL still allows the requester to submit a new request that properly identifies the records being sought.
Note, many records can be found on the Commission's website: www.paturnpike.com.
Items that are NOT within the Scope of a Right-to-Know Law request, include:
1. E-ZPass and Tolling. E‑ZPass records, including, but not limited to, account issues, toll invoices, and toll collection inquiries. These matters fall outside the scope of the RTKL. Any questions related to E‑ZPass or tolling should be directed to PA Turnpike E‑ZPass Customer Service at:
- Website: E-ZPass | PA Turnpike
- Customer Service Center: 1‑877‑736‑6727 (option 5)
- Email: CSC@ezpass.csc.paturnpike.com
2. CCTV cameras. PTC does not retain video from its live-feed traffic cameras along the Turnpike system. Because this video footage is not recorded, it is unavailable through the RTKL process or through any other PTC office.
3. Questions. The RTKL process does not require the Commission to respond to questions.
Members of the news media seeking information unrelated to RTKL are encouraged to contact the PA Turnpike’s Press Office:
Marissa Orbanek
Press Secretary
267‑408‑5151
morbanek@paturnpike.com
Submit a Request Online
Other Ways to Submit a Request
Requests for records must be addressed to the PA Turnpike's Open Records Officer and can be submitted by email, fax, mail, or in person. The request should be specific and not seek answers to questions. After filing a request, a response will be issued within five business days.
The regular business hours of the PA Turnpike's Open Records Office are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, except holidays. Requests received by the Open Records Office after the close of regular business hours shall be deemed to have been received on the following business day. RTKL requests may be submitted in the form established by the PA OOR. Visit the PA OOR’s website at www.openrecords.pa.gov.
The Commission’s Open Records Officer is Melisa Lucas.
In Person:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Legal Department
700 South Eisenhower Boulevard
Middletown, PA 17057
By Mail, Phone, Fax, or Email:
P.O. Box 67676
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676
Phone: 717-831-7493
Fax: 717-986-9654
Email: melucas@paturnpike.com
Fees
The PA OOR has established fees for duplication by photocopying, printing from electronic media, copying onto electronic media, transmission by facsimile or other electronic means, or other means of duplication. Such fees may be found on the PA OOR’s website. The PA Turnpike will charge $.25 per page for black and white duplication; $.35 per page for color duplication; actual cost for each CD/DVD; actual cost for each flash drive; $5 per record for certification; and actual cost for facsimile and all other delivery methods and postage. The PA Turnpike will determine on a case-by-case basis reasonable fees for other allowable costs incurred.
In accordance with the RTKL, prior to granting access to public records, the PA Turnpike may require the requester to prepay an estimate of the fees, if the fees are expected to exceed $100. All applicable fees must be prepaid in order to receive access to the public records requested.
Filing an Appeal
When a request is denied or deemed denial, a requester may file an appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. The appeal must be filed within 15 business days of the denial or deemed denial date. The appeal must also include the request, agency denial if one exists, and address agency grounds that the request was denied. An appeals officer will determine if the record(s) is subject to public access.
An appeal may be filed to the Office of Open Records via its Online Appeal Form, in person, phone, fax, or email at:
Office of Open Records
555 Walnut Street, Suite 605
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2234
Phone: 717-346-9903
Fax: 717-425-5343
Email: openrecords@pa.gov