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Guest Editorial |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Joseph F. Markosek
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Tolling I-80 is still the best road to closing state's transportation funding gap
A recent Tribune-Review editorial suggested that tolling Interstate 80 was the "spit and chewing gum" that held together Act 44, the state's transportation funding law, which I authored.
I believe the plan to toll the interstate is the bricks and mortar of a solid, well-reasoned plan which still provides the best way to narrow the funding gap in Pennsylvania's transportation budget.
In every county in the state, Act 44 is already working by providing money for hundreds of projects. The Turnpike Commission has provided $2 billion in supplemental funding for transportation projects since July 2007. With Act 44 money, the state Department of Transportation has repaired more than 1,000 miles of roads and replaced 80 bridges.
However, that money has come from turnpike travelers, many of whom live in this newspaper's coverage area. Tolling I-80 would level the playing field, but more importantly, allow the state to continue the critically needed rebuilding and repairs on its interstates.
Tolling I-80 would allow us to quadruple our investment on the highway and enable a 10-year, $2.5 billion project to rebuild it. That project is needed because I-80 has already exceeded its 50-year life expectancy. In the process, we would create and retain many jobs, helping the economy across the state's northern tier.
There's a lot to be gained by tolling I-80. There's even more to be lost by not acting.
The stakes are enormous. If the application is not approved, we will have a $473 million gap in next year's transportation budget.
Time is wasting. Without tolls, traffic will continue to divert to I-80, accelerating its deterioration. Meanwhile, critical improvements to the highway will be delayed, adding to a bill that has already come due.
State Rep. Joseph F. Markosek, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland, is the chairman of the House Transportation Committee.
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