Pennsylvania proposes interstate highway tolls at state borders

[Are_grits_groceries]

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.
<snip>
There's more: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/05/pennsylvania_proposes_intersta.html

If this idea gets through all the legal hurdles, don't plan on traveling very far.

[hobbit709]

1. Do what I do when I get to a toll road.

"Last Free Exit"

[fasttense]

2. That would make it particularly expensive for people who live on the border.

I use to live on the border of PA and MD. I would cross the state line at least four times a day, frequently on the interstate. So, if you live in the middle of the state it wouldn't affect you much. It's just those near the border who would be paying the toll most often.

[ejpoeta]

3. let's see how good an idea that is when people avoid pennsylvania altogether.

there are other ways to get to places. unless your goal is pennsylvania. and i assure you, i certainly have no need to go to pennsylvania. i think they had some water park i was thinking of visiting, but if they are going to charge me to enter the state... i'll go elsewhere.

[AllentownJake]

4. I'm fine with it as long as it is only enforced on the NY and NJ border

Those people are bad drivers and less of them on our roads would be a good thing

:rofl:

The Maryland, Delaware, and Ohio peeps are ok.

[Kolesar]

5. A better solution would be to raise the motor fuel tax

PA tried to put toll gates every 30 miles on I-80, but the federal government disallowed it. The state would have had to pay back every dollar that they got from the federal government since the highway was built. Including interest, IIRC

[FSogol]

6. Gasp! A dollar? To keep our roads and bridges in good repair?

That's just too much. :sarcasm: Why don't we just be like the Repubs and expect Santa to pay for all the Govt. services.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Traveling west on Route 80 on the PA-OH border, you get hit TWICE with tolls.

One on the PA side and another one less than five miles later in OH.

[Bill McBlueState]

12. wait, 80 in PA is tolled now?

I know it was being discussed, but I didn't know it had happened.

[no_hypocrisy]

14. Not all of it. They have a toll between NJ and PA and between PA and OH.

Nothing like a toll every 50 miles.

[madinmaryland]

8. Pennsylaware? I guess Delaware has taken over Pennsylvania.

:hide:

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

9. So does Virginia

according to todays Virginian Pilot. Watch for more Balkinization of America.

What is it about the word "interstate" that they don't understand?

[sinkingfeeling]

10. OK, but first they need to return all the federal funds used to build the interstates.

[FarCenter]

11. There are already tolls to enter Pennsylvania from New Jersey

$0.75 for cars and $16.25 for 5-axle trucks without an off-peak E-ZPass discount

There are also bridge and tunnel tolls to get from NJ to either NY or DE. The only free interstate out of NJ that comes to mind is I-287 from NJ to NY. There are small free bridges across the Delaware and smaller roads into NY, but no other interstates.

Entering NJ is free -- but staying here isn't.

http://www.drjtbc.org/default.aspx?pageid=102

[Bill McBlueState]

13. this sounds easy to avoid

Exiting onto a non-interstate before the state line, crossing the state line, and then re-entering the interstate would allow you to dodge the toll, if I understand correctly.

This isn't always possible, but it is much of the time.

[LynneSin]

15. Pennsylvania is the only state we do not have a toll at the border

I think DE should put one up first on 95 - get money from all those folks from PA crossing over for sales-tax free goods and cheap liquor and smokes.