Thompson Reacts to Federal Highway Decision on I-80

Statement

Thompson Reacts to Federal Highway Decision on I-80

Glenn Thompson, candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania's Fifth District spoke from Warren, PA today in reaction to news that the Federal Highway Administration had rejected the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission request to impose tolls on Interstate 80.

"I am thrilled, literally thrilled by this news," Thompson said. "I commend Secretary Peters for making the right call on this, and I want to express my personal gratitude to Congressman John Peterson and Congressman Phil English who led the fight on this at the federal level, and to the hundreds of people up and down the I-80 Corridor who would not give up when faced with catastrophic state legislation. I especially want to thank the many Chambers of Commerce who led the way in organizing our opposition, and local leaders like Mayor John Stroup of Clarion, who would not be silenced in his opposition. I am particularly happy to note that decision is final, that it cannot be appealed, and that no re-submission is permitted - which means that this issue has now been completely put to rest."

"I believe that the imposition of tolls would have devastated the economies of Northwest and Northcentral Pennsylvania. I am grateful that the Federal Highway Administration agreed."

"The next step, I believe, is that we must now address the problems in our transportation infrastructure and some of the other problems that this effort toward tolling has revealed."

"First, I believe it is necessary and I urge our state leadership to begin at once to examine the operations and structure of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Surely there are more efficient and effective ways to handle our existing toll road, and the savings may well be of such a magnitude as to address some of our other transportation challenges."

"Second, we need to address those challenges. We need to stop diverting money into the general operating budget of the state from the Pennsylvania road and Bridge Fund. Highway money should be spent on highways. We need to focus federal dollars where they are needed - on the roads and bridges that are most in need of repair - not in those areas where the most powerful Congressmen happen to live, or where they happen to take an interest."

"Finally, while Pennsylvania has done well in the federal highway funding process - we currently receive about $1.15 for every $1 in tax money we spend - we should not assume that we cannot do better."

"Pennsylvania has greater transportation challenges than any other state. As Congressman, if elected, I will do my best to see that Washington recognizes that fact, and that the federal government develops a working partnership with our state and local officials, to see that our transportation needs are addressed."

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