WASHINGTON –Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (D PA-11) sent letters to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Acting Administrator James Ray stating his opposition to tolling on I-80.  He also urged them to reject the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s (PTC) revised application on this matter.

“I have been hearing from many of my constituents about the issue of tolling on I-80, as it would affect residents throughout Pennsylvania, but especially those in the Northeast,” stated Kanjorski.  “We must invest in projects that will benefit Pennsylvanians, and tolling on I-80 will do just the opposite.  Rather, it would disproportionally burden residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania since many businesses and residents use I-80 to travel and commute.  The tolling would cause financial concerns for residents, and increased congestion and safety hazards on I-80 and on local roads which would receive more use.”

In his letter, Congressman Kanjorski stated his opposition to tolling on I-80 for the following reasons:

• In 2005, PennDOT conducted a study which recommended against tolling on I-80 because upgrades on the highway recently took place.
• The FHWA only approves tolls on interstate highways for construction activities on those roads.
• Tolling would burden existing and potential businesses, especially trucking companies and manufacturers, who use I-80 to transport their products.
• Such action would cause a financial burden to residents in Northeastern Pennsylvania who use I-80 for commuting and traveling.
• Tolling would force drivers to increasingly travel on local roads to avoid the cost of the tolls, which would cause more damage to these local roads and increase safety concerns.