Pennsylvania proposes interstate highway tolls at state borders

[The Straight Story]

Pennsylvania proposes interstate highway tolls at state borders

Mary Lou Stein of Akron giggles as she hits a small win streak as her husband Archie Stein next to her can't get a win in 2008 at Presque Isle Downs & Casino near Erie, Pa. If Pennsylvania has its way, the Steins will have to pay a toll on interstate highways at the state border when they next visit the casino. Pennsylvania legislators believe that charging drivers a border toll every time they enter and exit the state on its interstate highways is an innovative way to generate millions to fix their roads and bridges.

But Ohioans may consider the idea a new form of highway robbery. A local law professor said it may even violate interstate commerce laws.

A bill introduced this week would establish gateway tolls at the 11 locations where interstate highways cross Pennsylvania's border.

So a traveler from Ohio driving along Interstate 90 to a casino in Erie or one taking Interstate 80 to do some home shopping at IKEA would pay $1 at the state line and another buck on the way home.

A trucker would be hit even harder, being charged $5 to enter the state and another $5 to leave.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/05/pennsylvania_proposes_intersta.html

[Jack_DeLeon]

1. I think no interstate highway should ever be a toll road

State highways maybe, but not interstates.

[Retrograde]

4. Isn't I-90 a toll road in much of New York? (n/t)

[RC]

2. Your Papers please.

Those are your children? They seem a little suntanned for this time of year. Do you have their birth certificates, please.

[frustrated_lefty]

3. Great idea!

Have to pay for things somehow.

[Dappleganger]

5. Why should we pay to drive their sucky, pothole roads?

They have enough tolls as it is.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. PA idiots don't get the concept of "jurisdiction".

They can't control the Interstates.

Idiots.

Kinda like asking AZ state and local cops to enforce Federal immigration laws....


:banghead:

[Elmo39]

7. I Agree

Unfortunately our Idiot Gov. tried to get the OK from the fed. gov to make I-80 E/W and I-81 N/S toll roads and he "Balanced" the budget with the $$ from his proposals. The Fed Gov said NO to his Ideas. NOW we have a severely UNBALANCED State budget. I expect to se a Repug Gov due to Rendell's stupidity.

[Union Yes]

10. I-80/90 through Ill, Ind, Oh, PA, NY... I-76 through PA are all toll roads.

Whether those states share that money with the Federal Govt, I don't know.

[TwilightGardener]

11. Yep, that's how they getcha. Really pisses me off that they can somehow

claim an interstate as a money-maker. And then you're held captive to their stupid crappy rest stops (Sbarro's, Hardee's--yuck).

[JPZenger]

8. You have to pay to leave Delaware

That is the way I-95 works in Delaware - you have to pay to leave the state. Also, Delaware charges tolls that are twice as high on weekends on Rt. 1 (when most of the traffic involves tourists) than during weekdays (when most of the traffic involves Del. residents).

[Union Yes]

9. This is how a state taxes out of state residents. Why can't PA residents pay their own taxes? nt

[Forkboy]

12. As if that epic ride isn't already worth finding ways around.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is like some kind of purgatory, and a lot less fun....