OT: PA infrastructure 4th worse in country
- Thread starter Alphalion75
- Start date
I drive Florida to PA frequently. PA roads are the worst of any state I travel through by a wide margin
There are three states that are worse?
doesn't surprise me at all - have some trucker friends who say the same thing.
there are parts of my daily commute that look like a battlefield
there are parts of my daily commute that look like a battlefield
surprised only 7.4% of roads are deemed 'poor'. Seems like it should be >20%. I know many of the bridges are in bad shape too, I would have assumed higher there as well.
Can't believe we are rated that highly. I guess it's because we use all of that gas tax to keep the roads tip top.
yet you pay your legislators better than anyone except California, and you keep reelecting them
Let's raise the gas tax some more so our legislators can piss it away.
If you want to be exposed to the really BAD, try driving through Campbell, Ohio sometime. It's an OMG! experience.
As someone else posted its like driving through a battleground.
Youngstown, Ohio, just next door to Campbell ain't no "ride in the park" either.
Yes, I concur, having lived there for 3+ years. Multiple annual front-end alignments need to be budgeted for in the Boston area, lol.
They like to use that as an excuse, but drive through New Brunswick some time- they have tons of truck traffic and their roads and bridges are nearly pristine, even near the ocean where they have salt air.
Well..... we are already #1in the race to impose the highest gasoline taxes
https://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/states-with-highest-gasoline-excise-taxes-1.aspx#slide=2
Whenever I feel about about my life, I drive through Campbell. Then my life doesn't look so bad.
Well..... we are already #1in the race to impose the highest gasoline taxes
https://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/states-with-highest-gasoline-excise-taxes-1.aspx#slide=2
Put in place by our good friend Tom Corbutt.
Upstate New York is %1000 better than Pa also, and probably sees more road salt than anywhere on the planet thanks to lake effect snow.
I'd like to see the figures of 18-Wheelers on the roads of upstate NY as opposed to i-80, i-78, i-81, i-83 etc. I mean the Lehigh Valley is becoming, if not already, the 2nd largest inland port in the country - is there something similar in upstate NY? I'm honestly curious as I don't know the area.
Check out the major junctions and remember that one end begins/ends in NYC and the other hits the ports on the Great Lakes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Thruway
"According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Thruway is the fifth busiest toll road in the United States."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Thruway
"According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Thruway is the fifth busiest toll road in the United States."
Unfortunately the people who can change this are the assclowns who are benefiting from it in Harrisburg- just like we will never see term limits in Congress even though is absolutely should be in place and the Founders who have included it if for one second they though those would be jobs for life.
They have been working on the area from Shrewsbury to York for I swear 4 years and all I see are jersey walls and the black top removed down to the base.
This is an oldie but a goodie. Remember, it's not really a tax if everyone doesn't have to pay it.
https://www.watchdog.org/pennsylvan...cle_3b17d459-7f52-56d7-8177-f14df9ca5220.html
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Turnpike tolls are up, but where does the money go?
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent HARRISBURG — Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike went up again this year – but where are those dollars going? About 60 cents of every dollar handed over at the toll booth goes toward paying down different sources of debt and financing road projects. Of that figure, 42 cents goes […]
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike went up again this year – but where are those dollars going?
About 60 cents of every dollar handed over at the toll booth goes toward paying down different sources of debt and financing road projects.
Of that figure, 42 cents goes toward paying off debt and funding “pay-as-you-go” improvements on the highway itself, according to data from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for fiscal year 2012.
The other 18 cents goes to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. A state law passed in 2007, Act 44, requires the turnpike to make annual payments to PennDOT. Contributions have ranged from $900 million in 2010 to the current annual rate of $450 million, in place until 2057 save a repeal of the law. Funds support public transit projects and off-turnpike roads and bridges.
To date, the turnpike has paid $3.6 billion to the state under Act 44, according to commission records. Between those payments and turnpike debt service, 37 cents of every turnpike toll dollar goes toward paying off debt.
Total debt has more than doubled since passage of Act 44. In 2007, the turnpike’s total debt was about $2.9 billion. Today, it totals more than $8 billion, according to outgoingAuditor General Jack Wagner, who released a turnpike audit last week as one of his last moves as the state’s fiscal watchdog.
Among other recommendations, Wagner called for a repeal of Act 44 to keep the turnpike from drowning in debt — and continuing to pass the burden along to motorists.
“No entity can continue to operate with significant increases in long-term debt and the continued serious depletion of assets caused by Act 44,” Wagner said. “It is time to rescue the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission by repealing Act 44.”
Since Act 44 passed, the commission has raised tolls five times. This year, prices went up 10 percent for cash-paying customers and 2 percent for those with an E-Z Pass. Traveling the full 360 miles of the turnpike now costs $39.15 for cash customers and $30.77 for E-Z Pass users.
Officials at the turnpike commission acknowledged in their response to Wagner’s audit that the toll increase of 2013 is ”necessary to finance the cumulative impact” of Act 44 payments.
But they’ve also maintained that the long-term debt is self-sustaining.
In the response to the audit, PTC Acting Chief Executive Officer Craig R. Shuey said the commission is committed to fiscal responsibility.
The commission, Shuey said, is looking to reduce operational costs and achieve “long-term system benefits” by shifting toward new technologies, rebuilding the highway and improving maintenance.
“Under the leadership of our commissioners, the Turnpike is currently engaging in multiple reform efforts aimed at reducing our fiscal footprint,” Shuey said.
The focus of the turnpike’s infrastructure projects are reconstruction and widening projects, rebuilding the highway from the ground up and expanding from four to six lanes.
But certainly, the turnpike has things to pay for other than debt service and building up roads.
After the debt and capital improvement costs, the remaining 40 cents of each turnpike toll dollar goes toward operating expenses:
Contact Melissa Daniels atmelissa@paindependent.com.
https://www.watchdog.org/pennsylvan...cle_3b17d459-7f52-56d7-8177-f14df9ca5220.html
NEXT UP
By the numbers: Clarion County nursing program among three Pennsylvania schools …
Turnpike tolls are up, but where does the money go?
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent HARRISBURG — Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike went up again this year – but where are those dollars going? About 60 cents of every dollar handed over at the toll booth goes toward paying down different sources of debt and financing road projects. Of that figure, 42 cents goes […]
- By Melissa Daniels
- Jan 15, 2013
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike went up again this year – but where are those dollars going?
About 60 cents of every dollar handed over at the toll booth goes toward paying down different sources of debt and financing road projects.
Of that figure, 42 cents goes toward paying off debt and funding “pay-as-you-go” improvements on the highway itself, according to data from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for fiscal year 2012.
The other 18 cents goes to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. A state law passed in 2007, Act 44, requires the turnpike to make annual payments to PennDOT. Contributions have ranged from $900 million in 2010 to the current annual rate of $450 million, in place until 2057 save a repeal of the law. Funds support public transit projects and off-turnpike roads and bridges.
To date, the turnpike has paid $3.6 billion to the state under Act 44, according to commission records. Between those payments and turnpike debt service, 37 cents of every turnpike toll dollar goes toward paying off debt.
Total debt has more than doubled since passage of Act 44. In 2007, the turnpike’s total debt was about $2.9 billion. Today, it totals more than $8 billion, according to outgoingAuditor General Jack Wagner, who released a turnpike audit last week as one of his last moves as the state’s fiscal watchdog.
Among other recommendations, Wagner called for a repeal of Act 44 to keep the turnpike from drowning in debt — and continuing to pass the burden along to motorists.
“No entity can continue to operate with significant increases in long-term debt and the continued serious depletion of assets caused by Act 44,” Wagner said. “It is time to rescue the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission by repealing Act 44.”
Since Act 44 passed, the commission has raised tolls five times. This year, prices went up 10 percent for cash-paying customers and 2 percent for those with an E-Z Pass. Traveling the full 360 miles of the turnpike now costs $39.15 for cash customers and $30.77 for E-Z Pass users.
Officials at the turnpike commission acknowledged in their response to Wagner’s audit that the toll increase of 2013 is ”necessary to finance the cumulative impact” of Act 44 payments.
But they’ve also maintained that the long-term debt is self-sustaining.
In the response to the audit, PTC Acting Chief Executive Officer Craig R. Shuey said the commission is committed to fiscal responsibility.
The commission, Shuey said, is looking to reduce operational costs and achieve “long-term system benefits” by shifting toward new technologies, rebuilding the highway and improving maintenance.
“Under the leadership of our commissioners, the Turnpike is currently engaging in multiple reform efforts aimed at reducing our fiscal footprint,” Shuey said.
The focus of the turnpike’s infrastructure projects are reconstruction and widening projects, rebuilding the highway from the ground up and expanding from four to six lanes.
But certainly, the turnpike has things to pay for other than debt service and building up roads.
After the debt and capital improvement costs, the remaining 40 cents of each turnpike toll dollar goes toward operating expenses:
- 12 cents pays for cash toll collections/E-Z Pass administration.
- 10 cents goes toward nonpayroll employee benefits, like health insurance and pensions.
- Between 7 and 8 cents pays for turnpike maintenance.
- About 5 cents funds Pennsylvania State Police and safety costs.
- 6 cents goes toward other departmental costs.
Contact Melissa Daniels atmelissa@paindependent.com.
This is an oldie but a goodie. Remember, it's not really a tax if everyone doesn't have to pay it.
https://www.watchdog.org/pennsylvan...cle_3b17d459-7f52-56d7-8177-f14df9ca5220.html
NEXT UP
By the numbers: Clarion County nursing program among three Pennsylvania schools …
Turnpike tolls are up, but where does the money go?
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent HARRISBURG — Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike went up again this year – but where are those dollars going? About 60 cents of every dollar handed over at the toll booth goes toward paying down different sources of debt and financing road projects. Of that figure, 42 cents goes […]
- By Melissa Daniels
- Jan 15, 2013
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike went up again this year – but where are those dollars going?
About 60 cents of every dollar handed over at the toll booth goes toward paying down different sources of debt and financing road projects.
Of that figure, 42 cents goes toward paying off debt and funding “pay-as-you-go” improvements on the highway itself, according to data from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for fiscal year 2012.
The other 18 cents goes to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. A state law passed in 2007, Act 44, requires the turnpike to make annual payments to PennDOT. Contributions have ranged from $900 million in 2010 to the current annual rate of $450 million, in place until 2057 save a repeal of the law. Funds support public transit projects and off-turnpike roads and bridges.
To date, the turnpike has paid $3.6 billion to the state under Act 44, according to commission records. Between those payments and turnpike debt service, 37 cents of every turnpike toll dollar goes toward paying off debt.
Total debt has more than doubled since passage of Act 44. In 2007, the turnpike’s total debt was about $2.9 billion. Today, it totals more than $8 billion, according to outgoingAuditor General Jack Wagner, who released a turnpike audit last week as one of his last moves as the state’s fiscal watchdog.
Among other recommendations, Wagner called for a repeal of Act 44 to keep the turnpike from drowning in debt — and continuing to pass the burden along to motorists.
“No entity can continue to operate with significant increases in long-term debt and the continued serious depletion of assets caused by Act 44,” Wagner said. “It is time to rescue the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission by repealing Act 44.”
Since Act 44 passed, the commission has raised tolls five times. This year, prices went up 10 percent for cash-paying customers and 2 percent for those with an E-Z Pass. Traveling the full 360 miles of the turnpike now costs $39.15 for cash customers and $30.77 for E-Z Pass users.
Officials at the turnpike commission acknowledged in their response to Wagner’s audit that the toll increase of 2013 is ”necessary to finance the cumulative impact” of Act 44 payments.
But they’ve also maintained that the long-term debt is self-sustaining.
In the response to the audit, PTC Acting Chief Executive Officer Craig R. Shuey said the commission is committed to fiscal responsibility.
The commission, Shuey said, is looking to reduce operational costs and achieve “long-term system benefits” by shifting toward new technologies, rebuilding the highway and improving maintenance.
“Under the leadership of our commissioners, the Turnpike is currently engaging in multiple reform efforts aimed at reducing our fiscal footprint,” Shuey said.
The focus of the turnpike’s infrastructure projects are reconstruction and widening projects, rebuilding the highway from the ground up and expanding from four to six lanes.
But certainly, the turnpike has things to pay for other than debt service and building up roads.
After the debt and capital improvement costs, the remaining 40 cents of each turnpike toll dollar goes toward operating expenses:
- 12 cents pays for cash toll collections/E-Z Pass administration.
- 10 cents goes toward nonpayroll employee benefits, like health insurance and pensions.
- Between 7 and 8 cents pays for turnpike maintenance.
- About 5 cents funds Pennsylvania State Police and safety costs.
Turnpike officials have said they made E-Z Pass rate increases lower than those for cash because the electronic transactions cost less to handle than cash fare collections, 3 cents for E-Z pass compared to 8 cents for cash.
- 6 cents goes toward other departmental costs.
Contact Melissa Daniels atmelissa@paindependent.com.
Do you want roads or stadiums for BILLIONAIRES? Like the article said most of the money is going to pay debt on pork projects.
I did a job at one of the PennDot maintenance buildings a few years back. Talk about waste. There was like 20 guys standing around that summer waiting for it to snow. They were having cookouts and barbeques every Friday. My guys were the only ones working. You should also see how much the new maintenance facilities cost. I think the bid for the maintenance building at Plymouth Meeting was like $20 million.
Rs built the bridges and roads. Dems took office and diverted billions in toll money to pork projects. Now we don't have money to even paint the bridges.
It's not only pork barrel projects:
Ex-Pennsylvania Senate leader charged in turnpike pay-to-play scheme
Updated on Mar 13, 2013 at 11:48 AM EDT
- View full size Former Pennsylvania state Sen. Bob Mellow was involved in a pay-to-play scheme involving the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the state Attorney General's Office charges.Courtesy PhotoA former state Senate leader and seven others have been charged in a “pay-to-play” case involving the Pennsylvania Turnpike, state prosecutors said today.
Attorney General Kathleen Kane said the eight are accused of engaging in criminal activity for their financial and political advantage. A grand jury heard evidence that cash, travel, entertainment and political contributions were secretly provided to public officials and political groups by turnpike vendors and their consultants, Kane’s office said in a news release.
The defendants include former state Senate Democratic Leader Bob Mellow, former turnpike Chairman Mitchell Rubin and former turnpike chief executive Joe Brimmeier. Three former turnpike officials were also charged: George Hatalowich, 47, of Harrisburg, the former chief operating officer; Melvin Shelton, of Philadelphia; and Raymond Zajicek, of Tarpon Springs, Fla.
The other defendants are two turnpike vendors: Dennis Miller, of Harrisburg, and consultant Jeffrey Suzenski, of Pottstown, Pa.
The allegations include conspiracy, commercial bribery, bid rigging, theft and conflict of interest.
Kane said the grand jury found “substantial evidence” that Mellow directed an aide to help key contributors and supporters obtain turnpike contracts.
“The public has lost untold millions of dollars,” Kane said. “The greatest improper influence was exerted over the turnpike’s procurement process.”
The investigation began several years ago and has been conducted largely in secret.
In 2009, turnpike officials disclosed the commission had received a subpoena from state investigators.
They have been working on the area from Shrewsbury to York for I swear 4 years and all I see are jersey walls and the black top removed down to the base.
I do travel that way sometimes and yes they've been working on it forever.
My trek includes the section of 81 between Minersville (116) and Frackville (124) which were so brutal they did a piece on Channel 16 about it. The "filled" some of the potholes but its still a bear - and those potholes will be a problem again once the winter comes (or ends that is).
If we're talking about roads, no need to look any farther than PennDOT to place the blame. The way they spend money is absolutely absurd. Separate districts that operate under their own set of rules and a whole herd of employees focused on maintaining their jobs, nothing more. Each day for the past month, I've watched them pave a section of roadway that doesn't need to be paved while others in need of maintenance go untouched. All because they need to use the money (it's federal money) or else they lose it.
Hey, at least they are randomly widening the PA turnpike from two to three lanes out around Carlise. The fact it is two lanes for 100+ miles before this widening and then it goes back to two lanes before going through the tunnel means the widening is literally 100% useless. But I am sure the $50+ million dollar project is worth it to some congressman who got it passed and is lining his pockets with the general contractor's who bid the job.
That section of 81 kinda gets a pass. I've seen three seasons on that stretch of road in the same day.
Can't imagine how many freeze/thaw cycles that stretch seems from October to April.
Don't worry, the casino tax money will bail us out of all of this.
Comes as not surprise given the way the state bungled the Sandusky scandal. Corrupt!
LOL, yea thats another section they've been working on for what seems like 10 years.
The other part of that is I never have a f'n clue as to what the Speed Limit is.
I swear to God it goes from 70 MPH from the Harrisburgh exchange to 65, to 55 and then you have "work" zones all within
about a 2 mile stretch.
Oh I get that but in this case it doesn't get a pass because they've done from exit 124 North and from 116 South...….leaving ONLY my section of road a bloody mess !!!
That is really underachieving given the level of graft and corruption in Pennsylvania. Somebody must be messing up big time. Which highway district is improving roads?
Senate R 34 D 16
House R 121 D 62
Dems haven't been in control for over 25 years.
I remember a joke (or SNL skit) when Bill Clinton was first running for president. The comment was that Arkansas ranked 49 th out of 50 states for education and Clinton replied thank god for Mississippi!
If PA is 4th from the bottom, I can’t imagine what those other 3 states are like.
If PA is 4th from the bottom, I can’t imagine what those other 3 states are like.
