Tolling Pennsylvania’s I-80 Puts Specter on the Political Hot Seat

by Elana Schor

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) could find out within weeks whether the U.S. DOT will approve his latest bid to turn Interstate 80 into only the third tolled highway in Dwight Eisenhower’s famous system. But while federal officials mull their decision, the pressure is mounting on another Keystone State lawmaker: Sen. Arlen Specter (D).

i_80jpg_8941768de5cc707d.jpgState leaders are already estimating a $470 million profit from still-unapproved tolls on Pennsylvania’s I-80. (Photo: PennLive.com)

Specter has declined to take a position on the prospect of tolling I-80, reasoning that the issue is up to state leaders and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

But with I-80 becoming a possible test case for the possibility of tolling existing interstates to help close Washington’s yawning infrastructure budget gap, Specter’s spot on the sidelines is starting to draw negative attention.

The Philadelphia Inquirer found Pennsylvania transit and labor groups particularly eager for the former Republican to take a stand on I-80:

"I would like to see Specter go see the president and get this
done," said Patrick J. Eiding, president of the Philadelphia Council of
the AFL-CIO. "It’s that important. And he’s in a position where he can
do that."

Pasquale "Pat" Deon Sr., the Bucks County Republican who is chairman
of the SEPTA board and a commissioner of the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Commission, said, "Arlen needs to be pushing for it and not dancing
around it. He’s like a ballerina."

Specter’s fellow senator, Bob Casey (D), has taken a similar hands-off approach to I-80 tolls. But it is Specter who must face state voters in less than two months in a hotly contested primary race against Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) — who generally takes on the incumbent from the left but has called for a tax on oil drilling instead of I-80 tolls.

SEPTA, the transit authority that runs the Philadelphia metro area’s rail, trolley, and buses, hopes to use the revenue from I-80 driving fees to adopt a "smart card" fare system and start work on several new projects. Even if the U.S. DOT signs off on I-80 tolls, which are opposed by several of Specter and Casey’s House Democratic colleagues, SEPTA would still have to hike fares next year.

When will the final word come down from the Obama administration? Perhaps as soon as this month; the Inquirer reports that Rendell and other state transport officials are preparing for a final meeting with LaHood on March 23.