Dahlkemper, Kanjorski, Carney, Thompson Strongly State Opposition To Tolling On I-80 In Meeting With Federal Highway Administration
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3), Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11), Congressman Christopher P. Carney (PA-10), and Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5) met with Federal Highway Administration Deputy (FHWA) Administrator Greg Nadeau to express their strong concerns about the potential for tolling on I-80 and request that the FHWA reject the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s (PTC) application to place tolls on I-80. The FWHA attended the meeting at the request of the Members, who sought to express their concerns about the I-80 issue. Fifteen State Senators and Representatives attended the meeting. Additionally, on November 19, the Members had an initial meeting with Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.
“The proposal to toll I-80 must be stopped,” said Congresswoman Dahlkemper. “It will harm businesses and communities in Western Pennsylvania at a time when we should be doing everything in our power to accelerate economic recovery, not stall it. I am pleased to work alongside my colleagues in the House and with local leaders in Pennsylvania to try to put the brakes on this dangerous tolling plan.”
“I am, and always have been, opposed to tolling on I-80, as it would negatively affect residents throughout Pennsylvania, but especially those in the Northeast,” said Congressman Kanjorski. “We must invest in projects and policies that will benefit Pennsylvanians, and tolling on I-80 will do just the opposite. Because of my constituents’ overwhelming opposition to tolling, today we spoke directly with the Federal Highway Administration and urged them to deny the state’s application to place tolls on I-80. I will oppose any effort that so clearly discriminates against Northeastern Pennsylvania, as tolling on I-80 does.”
“This meeting provided a good opportunity for the administration to hear from people in our region who would be directly impacted by the tolling of I-80,” said Congressman Carney. “I have made my opposition clear from the get-go. Tolling I-80 would stifle economic development along the I-80 corridor, seriously hurt our region’s businesses and put an undue burden on our neighbors who use the highway on a daily basis.”
“The economic devastation that could result from the tolling of I-80 has been obvious since it was first proposed,” said Congressman Thompson. “It was good to have members of the Pennsylvania legislature join us here to meet with the Federal Highway Administration and let them know the strength of the opposition to the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s funding scheme.”
On October 30, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the PTC submitted its revised application to the FHWA to set up tolls on I-80. In September 2008, the FHWA rejected the state’s previous application.