Three major state transportation issues remained stalled at the end of 2009, leaving legislators hoping for a jump-start this year.

There still is no decision on whether the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission could charge tolls on Interstate 80 and keep pumping money into PennDOT; no movement in the General Assembly making it illegal to text-message while driving; and no word from federal officials on whether a proposed high-speed rail line from Pittsburgh to Cleveland could be eligible for government grants.

The Federal Highway Administration still was reviewing the state’s application to charge tolls on I-80 as 2009 drew to a close. The agency, though, might make a decision early this year, said state Rep. Joseph Markosek, chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

“We expect soon after the first of the year to have a decision, one way or another,” said Markosek, D-Monroeville.

Under the Act 44 transportation-funding bill passed in 2007, the turnpike borrows money against its toll revenues to pay for PennDOT’s road, bridge and transit projects. Without the extra revenue from I-80 tolls, the turnpike’s annual payments to PennDOT would drop from $900 million in 2009 to $450 million this year.

The debate pits the populous urban areas that would benefit from additional transportation funding against the towns, businesses and truckers using I-80 that would bear the brunt of tolls. Opponents of the tolls question whether the consultant who conducted an economic study of the toll plan was qualified — and whether the Turnpike Commission deserves the extra money or responsibility after separate investigations into accusations of patronage and shoddy work by contractors.

“The trucking industry is already working below the profitability margin,” said Mike Joyce, director of legislative affairs for the advocacy group Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. “This will only increase their costs, which, if they can, will get passed on to the consumer — it’s Economics 101.”

In other legislation, two bills that would stiffen penalties for “distracted” driving are stuck in the Legislature because other measures — such as authorization of table games at state casinos — took precedence, Markosek said.

Read the Tribune Review article here

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