For Immediate Release
April 6, 2010
Contact: Drew Crompton
(717) 787-7084
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Scarnati: Plan to Toll Interstate 80 Rejected 

WARREN—Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati announced today that the Federal Highway Administration has rejected Pennsylvania’s plan to toll Interstate 80.  While the proposal was expected to be a part of Act 44 of 2007 Scarnati has urged that the federal government not approve the tolling. 

"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," Scarnati stated.  "This welcome news could not have come at a better time, as we continue to face the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression." 

However, Scarnati did mention that the General Assembly and the Administration must now find new means to rectify the current transportation funding crisis across the state. 

"While this decision is meaningful, it does nothing to solve the current demand to fund our rapidly deteriorating roads and bridges," Scarnati added.  "As I have stated time and time again, citizens can argue on how best to solve our infrastructure issues…no one can argue that a crisis exists." 

"Moving forward, it would be beneficial if our federal legislators would work with the General Assembly and the Administration in satisfying funding demands," Scarnati stated.  "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." 

"This measure by the Federal Highway Administration is appropriate, but now the work to provide a more sound funding mechanism for our roads and bridges must commence," Scarnati concluded.