Washington, D.C.  -  Calling for dramatic improvements in the country’s transportation system, the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission recently released a report which further hinders the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s plan to place tolls on Interstate 80. U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.), a vocal opponent of tolling I-80, applauded the Commission’s recommendations regarding the tolling of interstate systems.

“The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s decision to move forward with its proposal to toll I-80 has been a poison pill for Pennsylvania’s economy and a placebo for our transportation needs,” English said.  “By clearly defining the necessary tenets and regulations that are needed for a tolling proposal to impact a state’s transportation needs, this report further highlights that the I-80 tolling plan is, as it has been from the beginning, dead in the water.”

After conducting an extensive two-year study, the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission released its recommendation on how to effectively strengthen and improve the nation’s transportation infrastructure. 

The new report, which provides recommendations regarding the implementation of tolls on U.S. interstates, strongly opposes using revenue generated from tolls for non-transportation purposes, including subsidizing transportation improvements, such as mass transit; recommends tolls only be placed on new infrastructure that expand the capacity of the interstate system or on existing interstates within metropolitan area with populations of greater than 1 million; and advises all tolling proposals carefully examine the impact of traffic diversions on secondary roads, safety problems and infrastructure damage before being implemented. 

“Here again, we can see the glaring inconsistencies about the planning and financing of the I-80 tolling plan,” English said.  “The I-80 tolling proposal is totally inconsistent with the thrust of federal policy for freeways as outlined by this report.”

Click HERE to view the full report.

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