English to Rendell: Convene a transportation summit

SHARON, Pa. — The rejection of a plan for tolling Interstate 80 is nothing but good news, local leaders say.

Some point out, however, the state must now find another way to fund road and bridge projects.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission had proposed that PennDOT turn I-80 over to the commission, which would charge the tolls and use the revenue to make annual lease payments to PennDOT.

PennDOT would have used the money for transportation projects across the state and for mass transit in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

The Federal Highway Administration rejected the proposal Thursday, saying the application didn’t meet legal requirements for the correct use of toll revenue.

The news was met with relief in Mercer County, where business and government leaders had feared toll booths would drive away development, hurt businesses that rely on the highway for shipping, and even put more stress on local roads as drivers dodged the toll booths.

And U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, R-3rd, a staunch opponent of the tolling plan, called on Gov. Ed Rendell and the state Legislature to convene a transportation summit to come up with a real solution for addressing transportation needs in the state.