 Adjust Text Size
For Immediate Release
February 6, 2008
Back
Senators Unveil New Transportation
Funding Plan
Provides $750 million annually for
roads and bridges with no I-80 tolls.
  - Press
Conference
Harrisburg – Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) today announced
she is co-sponsoring legislation that will provide more
money for needed transportation improvements in Pennsylvania
and fund mass transit without the need to impose tolls on
Interstate 80.
Senate Bill 1280, sponsored by Sen. John Gordner (R-27),
allows for a public-private partnership agreement to lease
the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The proposal allows the Turnpike
to be divided into three sections to allow for more bids.
The State Transportation Commission would negotiate 50-year
agreements with American-based and majority American-owned
companies in return for an upfront payment to the
Commonwealth.
The proposal will provide $750 million or more annually
for road and bridge projects throughout the Commonwealth, as
well as $250 million annually for mass transit. It
eliminates the need to toll I-80 while providing more money
for transportation projects statewide, White said.
Senators White, Gordner and others had written to the
U.S. Department of Transportation opposing the I-80 tolling
plan, and today received a reply indicating there are six
states ahead of Pennsylvania to have their plans
considered.
"That means it could be months or even years before
Pennsylvania has a plan in place to fund repairs of bridges
and roads that desperately need work – and that's if the
federal government even approves the tolling plan, which is
far from likely," said White. "Senate Bill 1280 would raise
a billion dollars annually for transportation funding
without the need of federal approval, and it keeps tolls on
a road that has always been tolled."
The legislation will further require the public-private
partnership agreement to include provisions that require
continued improvements along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It
allows for Turnpike toll increases that are tied to the
annual rate of inflation.
"It's clear that Pennsylvania's roads and bridges need
improvement, but it shouldn't be done on the backs of
citizens and businesses along I-80," said White.
Transportation Funding Comparison (PDF)
Highlights of Senate Bill 1280
(PDF)
| 
