In a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial, the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s ongoing conversion to fully electronic, open-road tolling is held up as one important step for the turnpike commission (PTC), which is just starting to climb out of a debt burden traced to the state legislature’s passage of Act 44 in 2007. “For 15 years, the PTC was forced to shell out $450 million a year for other transit priorities, which led to huge annual toll increases, deferred maintenance on Turnpike roadways, and the delay of expansion projects.” That mandated payout has since been reduced to $50 million.
Open road tolling, expected to reach western Pennsylvania by 2027, will allow for new collection points while also easing congestion for drivers. However, the editorial board cautions, higher-than-inflation rate increases likely will be needed for years to come as the agency retires debt. The editorial board notes that a 2022 audit found PTC held $13.2 billion in debt — more than the state government itself.
Along the way, the editors say, PTC will need to be vigilant in its efforts to minimize leakage. “Toll-by-plate systems must become more efficient, especially as the PTC continues to ask for more from toll-payers.”