A local trucking organization is pushing back on bridge tolls proposed by PennDOT last week.
The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association dedicated a page of their website to speaking out against the proposed tolls, which are a part of PennDOT's Major Bridge P3 Initiative.
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Under the proposal, nine Pennsylvania bridges would be tolled, including one along I-79 in Bridgeville.
President and CEO of PMTA Rebecca Oyler believes the tolls would disproportionately impact trucking companies.
"We're disappointed that we're being asked to pay even more, and currently trucks generally pay about 40 percent of transportation costs and taxes in Pennsylvania, despite the fact that they only drive about nine percent of the miles," she said. "So, we're concerned that this proposal is really going to have a disproportionate impact on an industry that already has very tight margins and needs to stay economically competitive."
PennDOT cited revenue losses, particularly over the pandemic in their proposal. They say the tolls would fund projects on the nine bridges either needed or in progress.
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Oyler is urging PennDOT to consider other options to raise that money.
"We'd like to see a more fair and equitable approach to transportation infrastructure funding, one that doesn't disproportionately impact or target a specific industry, especially one like trucking that's so critical to the state's economy and our local businesses," she said.
A PennDOT spokesperson provided a statement to KDKA Radio responding to the concerns from trucking companies and organizations:
We understand that the concerns of the trucking industry. However, all motorists – including trucks – benefit from a reliable roadway and bridge network. Additionally, by replacing or significantly rehabilitating these well-used interstate bridges, we will improve approach roadway alignments to increase safety. Legal sizes of trucks have been increasing over the past decades and these bridges were simply not designed to accommodate the current size of legal loads today. Improving the structural condition of these bridges will negate the need for potential bridge postings and closures. When roads and bridges are in good condition, the trucking industry is provided with a predictable and direct route to deliver goods, which reduces time and fuel costs.