Pa. officials again considering making Interstate 80 a toll road

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pennsylvania Turnpike officials are preparing to revive their application to impose tolls on Interstate 80.

Meanwhile, opponents plan to release a study that finds I-80 tolls are unjustified and could lead to an increase in crashes.

The turnpike commission plans to submit supplemental information to the Federal Highway Administration in support of its application to put tolls on I-80, spokesman Carl DeFebo said.

The federal agency rejected the bid 13 months ago because it did not meet legal requirements. But DeFebo said tolls are a key part of a state law passed two years ago to fund highways and public transit.

Under the law, if tolls aren’t imposed or a substitute revenue stream isn’t found, state funding of highways and transit would be cut in half by July, from $900 million annually to $450 million.

For the complete story, see Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com