Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court permanently blocked Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to toll nine major state bridges, marking a victory for NATSO and the grassroots coalition that has been fighting tolling efforts within the state.
The Commonwealth Court ruled that the Administration had not properly followed state law in getting the plan approved.
PennDOT sought to implement tolls on bridges in nine counties that carry Interstates 78, 79, 80, 81, 83 and 95. NATSO and the Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates (of which NATSO is a founding member) worked to stop the advancement of tolls in Pennsylvania.
NATSO and its coalition immediately mobilized when the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation first announced its bridge tolling plan.
NATSO’s coalition also testified at a field hearing in 2021 hosted by Congressman Glenn Thompson and members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to examine PennDOT’s P3 Major Bridge Tolling Proposals.
NATSO members also submitted letters to the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee opposing the bridge tolls in advance of a Committee hearing.
Among them was NATSO member Onvo. In its letter, Onvo said, “It cannot be overstated how negatively PennDOT’s Major Bridge P-3 program would hurt our company.” If PennDOT implements the bridge tolls, Onvo estimates that business will decline as much as 50 percent or more as customers divert onto non-tolled routes.
NATSO members may join the Alliance for Toll Free Interstates here.
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