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Local officials applaud I-80 toll rejection
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
By Jeff Corcino Staff Writer
Many local leaders were pleased that the U.S. Department of Transportation again rejected the state's application to toll Interstate 80.
"It's great news," Clearfield County Commissioner John Sobel said. "The tolls would have devastated the local economy."
All three of Clearfield County's commissioners are opposed to the tolling of I-80 as are many of the area's legislative leaders such as U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-5 of Howard; state Rep. Matt Gabler, R-75 of DuBois; and state Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-25 of Brockway.
"It is clear that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood followed the letter of the law in making this decision," Thompson said in a written statement. "Act 44 never met the criteria set by the federal law. This is the third time FHWA has turned down the application, and we can only hope the third time is the charm, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, governor and leaders in Harrisburg will get realistic about the commonwealth's transportation future."
"Today's decision by the federal government to keep Interstate 80 toll-free is a huge victory for the residents of our area," Gabler said today in a press release. "This issue has been a major focus of my first year in office, because I know the economy of our region depends on that highway. Nearly everything we buy and sell travels on that road. The defeat of the tolling plan will surely mean a more positive job outlook all along the I-80 corridor."
"I am pleased that the federal government listened to many state legislators and agreed that the economic disadvantages would clearly outweigh the benefit of increased revenue to the commonwealth," said Scarnati in a press release. "This welcome news could not have come at a better time, as we continue to face the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression."
Sobel said all three county commissioners are also calling for the repeal of Act 44 to put an end to any future applications to toll I-80.
"It's the monster lurking in the room," Sobel said. "We need to get rid of Act 44."
Gabler said he too was opposed to any future attempts to toll the interstate.
"To that end, I will further push to ensure that another application is not pursued," Gabler said. "Moving forward, I hope we can instead pursue common sense answers to Pennsylvania's transportation and infrastructure needs."
Thompson and Scarnati also urged the legislature to come up with an alternate plan to fund the state's transportation needs.
"Today is a victory for the people of the commonwealth, but the battle is far from over. Thanks to Act 44 the Turnpike Commission is up to its eyeballs in debt because of the borrowing done based on the premise that I-80 would be tolled. In light of this announcement, I call on our legislative leaders in Harrisburg and all members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation - including those seven who sit on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - to come together to find viable and sustainable solutions to our highway and transit funding. The future of Pennsylvania's transportation system depends upon it and the taxpayers deserve as much," said Thompson.
"While this decision is meaningful, it does nothing to solve the current demand to fund our rapidly deteriorating roads and bridges," Scarnati added. "Moving forward, it would be beneficial if our federal legislators would work with the General Assembly and the administration in satisfying funding demands."
However, Scarnati also criticized federal officials for their role in the process. "Unfortunately, their involvement did not take place until state legislation was already enacted. We need more federal dollars and we need active participants with solutions, not federal officials looking for popular headlines."
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