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Truckers Oppose Bridge Tolls in PA
Truckers are pushing back at a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s proposal to add tolls to nine vehicle bridges across the state, including on Interstate 79, to close a funding gap to widen the roadway and replace the bridges.
Under the proposal — which PennDOT is preparing for federal approval — passenger vehicles would pay a couple dollars and tractor-trailers could pay as much as $10 on a single pass by late 2023.
Some in the trucking industry are pushing back, saying the proposal disproportionately relies on trucks.
40% of the Transportation Costs, 9% of the Miles
“Truckers currently pay about 40 percent of the transportation costs, in taxes, in Pennsylvania, despite the fact that they only drive about 9 percent if of the miles,” said Rebecca Oyler of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association.
Members of the House Appropriations Committee also questioned the tolling program during a budget hearing, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
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PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian
“PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian defended the tolling option, telling legislators her department has annual road and bridge needs of about $15 billion and only $6.9 billion available to address them,” according news reports.
PennDOT officials said that gas revenues in the state have dropped off significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the authority with little other choice to fund the necessary road improvements.
