Penn DOT wants to toll the 95 Girard Point Bridge (Pittsburgh: houses, buy)

[Penna76]

It was reported that Penn DOT will start tolling the 95 Girard Point Bridge starting in 2022.

For those who are not familiar, it is the double decker bridge just north of the Airport on 95 that crosses the Schulykill river, adjacent to the Navy Yard and Stadium complex.

Tolls would be automated through EZ Pass or a License Plate photo capture, so very little infrastructure costs need to be added to implement.

https://6abc.com/penndot-tolls-penns...phia/10352525/

[Fireshaker]

I look forward to all of the local traffic shifting over to the Platt to avoid the tolls.

Because if there's one bridge that doesn't have enough traffic on it, it's the Platt.

[Flyers Girl]

Is a toll a tax? If so, PennDOT doesn't have taxing authority. It's an interesting question, to be sure. All I know is that once a tax or other type of fee is implemented, it never goes away. (We're still paying for the Johnstown flood, after all. ) Granted, the article doesn't state that PennDOT intends the toll to be temporary, but the fact that the revenue would be used for a road improvement project at least implies that it could be.

[rowhomecity]

Originally Posted by Flyers Girl

Is a toll a tax? If so, PennDOT doesn't have taxing authority. It's an interesting question, to be sure. All I know is that once a tax or other type of fee is implemented, it never goes away. (We're still paying for the Johnstown flood, after all. ) Granted, the article doesn't state that PennDOT intends the toll to be temporary, but the fact that the revenue would be used for a road improvement project at least implies that it could be.

Im not sure if bridges fall into a separate category for tolls but I think they do.

And I am sure it would be permanent. The state has a large revenue shortfall from COVID and transportation funding. (Obviously less people drove in 2020 so there is less revenue/money for the capital projects that were programmed for the next 5 years).

[thedirtypirate]

Tolling would be electronic and collected through E-ZPass or license-plate billing, PennDOT said. The money collected on a bridge would go to its construction, maintenance and operation, it said.

Just remember:

$4.2 billion diverted from PennDOT road and bridge repairs to fund state police, new audit reveals

More robbery by the stooges in Harrisburg.

[selhars]

I know I would take the Platt instead of pay the toll.

All tolling the I-95 bridge will do is flood the city with traffic.

And is PENDOT going to pay to fix city street that are torn up and worn due to the increased use and deterioration?

Several Republican Senators and the trucking industry are trying to stop it.

I hope city officials are on the ball on this and trying to stop it also. Could be a good opportunity for city officials and GOP legislators to work together on..........a bipartisan success.

Those with city connections? What are city officials' positions on this and what are they doing about it?

[bridge12]

PennDOT wouldn't have to toll bridges if the state would fully fund the State Police and PennDOT stopped their billion-dollar expansion boondogles like the 83 expansion in Harrisburg (a literal 12 lane highway through Harrisburg) and the Mon-Fayette expressway.

[rowhomecity]

Originally Posted by selhars

I know I would take the Platt instead of pay the toll.

All tolling the I-95 bridge will do is flood the city with traffic.

And is PENDOT going to pay to fix city street that are torn up and worn due to the increased use and deterioration?

Several Republican Senators and the trucking industry are trying to stop it.

I hope city officials are on the ball on this and trying to stop it also. Could be a good opportunity for city officials and GOP legislators to work together on..........a bipartisan success.

Those with city connections? What are city officials' positions on this and what are they doing about it?

Just a friendly reminder, that for the most part the funding issues in Harrisburg are the result of a GOP controlled legislature for the past 10+ years and also the rise in the gas tax was a GOP proposal signed by Corbett.

Pennsylvania is an old state, with lots of old infrastructure. (i.e Pittsburgh has more bridges than any city in the world)

COVID decreased state gas tax revenue, and Penn DOT has a capital programming outline that usually extends 5 years out.

The state has to pay for it (unless the Feds kick in more money) and this is a solution.

Many GOP states actually use tolling as a primary form of transportation revenue. Texas and Florida are most notable.

I would say most people will pay a measly dollar to cross the bridge rather than do the added 10+ minutes of going the out of the way Platt route.

It also will be an EZ Pass or camera system so no need to slow down. Similar to the new 95 bridge connection with the Turnpike. Raising transportation revenue through a variety of means is actually bi partisan. You have to pay for it.

The real solution would be for Pennsylvania to divert less funding to the rural projects because it has a lower ratio of people who drive on those roads. But those rural infrastructure projects are largely GOP majority and those in rural PA would not be happy (costing the seats of those in that district), so transportation funding is actually one of the most bipartisan policies the state has.

The other solution would be to tax the logistics and trucking industry which is dominate in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. They are building warehouses left and right, while destroying road infrastructure and land values. In addition the industry provides very poor job opportunities (the industry is moving towards automation: meaning less and less jobs). Basically this industry is robbing the state blind.

Maybe toll truckers at a much higher rate or tax the warehouses all together to divert the money towards transportation.

[selhars]

I'm just pointing out that when increased traffic on city streets takes its toll because of people going around the toll whose going to pay for that?
City residents.

[rowhomecity]

Originally Posted by selhars

I'm just pointing out that when increased traffic on city streets takes its toll because of people going around the toll whose going to pay for that?
City residents.

The toll is set to be $1 dollar. Maybe $2. I forsee maybe 1/100 cars taking the additional 15 minutes to go the longer Platt route.

$1 does not even buy you a pack of gum these days. I doubt people will mind.

Now if it was $5+ maybe people would take more diversions around it.

I do not know if it will be a one way toll like the PA - NJ bridges? For commuting purposes that can have a slight impact perhaps.

But I am not sure, again though at a $1 I do not think many people will even pay attention to it.