FHWA rejects tolls on 1-80 - Lease payments not legitimate operating costs

摘要

Citing federal restrictions on tolling interstates, the Federal Highway Administration said it was obliged to turn down an application from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to place tolls on Interstate 80. PennDOT and the turnpike commission had submitted an application seeking tolling authority under a federal pilot program. Under the plan, PennDOT would transfer 1-80 to the commission, which would make annual lease payments to PennDOT. But there is no basis to conclude that the proposed lease payments are legitimate operating costs, FHWA said.