The clearest argument for I-80 tolls is that I-76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which runs along the southern part of the state, has been a toll road ever since it was opened, and the economy of the area hasn’t been hurt by toll roads.
Also, the PA turnpike will also see increases in its tolls, but you don’t hear anyone really complaining about that, do you? In Philadelphia, turnpike goes through the heart of the largest suburban office center, King of Prussia. It also goes through other centers of development such as Fort Washington, and yet these places aren’t hurt by tolls.
The toll increases on the PA turnpike will pay for our fair share of the transportation budget. It’s not like the I-80 tolls won’t benefit roads in the north. The transportation bill passed by the state legislatures was a package deal which pays for both roads and transit, and roads still get the lion’s share of the funds.
The hypocrisy is that people have benefited by having I-80 built and paid by the whole state, while the PA turnpike was built and paid through tolls. They’ve been getting a free ride on a road (I-80) that was originally designed as a toll road. Now when they’re asked to chip in to help mass transit all over the state (and not just SEPTA in Philly), they won’t do anything to help.
FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. It’s what’s being whipped up by people afraid of change on I-80. Don’t believe the hype.
