Penn Pike Commission promising 4x rise in I-80 spending, & link to I-99

In a bid to bolster support for tolling I-80 the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is releasing details of a $2.5 billion ten year capital spending plan. This is about four times the current level of spending on the 500km (311 mile) interstate which traverses the state east-west.

The ten years' spending will replace 60 bridges and renovate 83% of the pavement. It will also complete the connection between I-99 and I-80 in the State College area. Completing an expressway standard route between the northern end I-99 and I-80 can be accomplished several ways.

The simplest is a 27km (16 mile) extension along the route of US220. (see map nearby)

The capital plan to support improvements in the I-80 corridor should get the Commission closer to gaining USDOT support for tolling. Under present law the US transport secretary cannot grant permission to toll an existing free interstate unless toll revenues are used for improvements within the corridor where they are imposed.

TOLLROADSnews 2008-07-13