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Commonwealth Foundation

Leasing the Turnpike: Questions & Answers

by News Release

First in a series from the Commonwealth Foundation & Reason Foundation

1. Does Pennsylvania need more money for its roads, highways, bridges and mass transit systems?

The Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission (November 2006 report) identified the need for an increase of $1.7 billion in annual funding simply to maintain the state's current transportation infrastructure.

The bi-partisan commission recommended an increase of:

• $965 million for roads, highways, and bridges.
• $760 million for mass transit.

2. Didn't Act 44 of 2007—which will impose new tolls on the currently free Interstate-80—solve our transportation funding problem?

Act 44 provides less than half the funding needed for roads, highways, and bridges, according to the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission report.
• $450 million for roads, highways, and bridges in FY 2007-08.
• $300 million for mass transit in FY 2007-08.

Act 44 provides an average of only $946 million over the next 10 years and does not reach $1.7 billion until 2036. Furthermore, Act 44 funding increases are also unlikely to keep pace with inflation and are dependent on federal approval for tolling I-80, which has not been granted by the Federal Highway Administration.

3. What if the Federal Highway Administration rejects Pennsylvania's application to toll I-80?

Act 44 will generate only $450 million annually if the Federal Highway Administration does not approve the tolling of I-80.

• $200 million for roads, highways, and bridges—only one-fifth the identified need of $965 million.
• $250 million for mass transit—less than one-third the identified need of $760 million.
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For more information, visit www.CommonwealthFoundation.org to read all twenty-one questions and answers in Leasing the Turnpike: Frequently Asked Questions & Answers.

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The Commonwealth Foundation (www.CommonwealthFoundation.org) is an independent, non-profit public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg, PA.

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