Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
PA Turnpike Commission logo.svg
Agency overview
FormedMay 31, 1937; 84 years ago (1937-05-31)
Preceding
  • Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Company
JurisdictionCommonwealth of Pennsylvania
HeadquartersHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Employees1,877 (2020)[1]
Annual budget$426.2 million (FY 2021)[1]
Agency executives
  • Mark P. Compton, Chief Executive Officer
  • Craig R. Shuey, Chief Operating Officer
Websitewww.paturnpike.com

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) was created in 1937 to construct, finance, operate, and maintain the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The commission consists of five members. Four members are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania, while the fifth member is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation.[2]

In addition to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the commission also operates the James E. Ross Highway, Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass, Mon/Fayette Expressway and Pittsburgh's Southern Beltway, the latter two of which are currently under construction.[3][4]

The PTC is the only transportation agency in Pennsylvania that is not part of PennDOT, though it does coordinate with PennDOT on road design procedures and guidelines.[5] As of February 2021, Mark Compton is the CEO.[2]

History[]

1930–1970[]

The PTC was established by law on May 21, 1937, when Pennsylvania Governor George Earle signed Act 211 into law. The first commissioners were named on June 4 of the same year.[6]

PA Act 229 of 1953 states that the PTC shall be dissolved once its debts have been paid:

"When all bonds, notes or other obligations and the interest thereon have been paid [...] the Turnpike and the connecting road, tunnels, and bridges shall become a part of the system of State Highways and shall be maintained by the Department of Highways free of tolls; and thereupon, the Commission shall be dissolved."[7]

In 1957 two commissioners and several contractors were convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges for defrauding the commission of $19 million.[8]

In 1963 a turnpike commissioner who replaced a commissioner from the previous scandal was charged with bribery, extortion and conspiracy.[9]

1970–present[]

In 1978 former turnpike commissioner Egidio Cerelli was convicted of extortion, serving time in federal prison.[10]

One of the largest projects the Commission managed was the Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project. Legislated originally in 1978,[11] construction did not begin until after environmental approval in 2004 and design work in 2008.[12][13][14] Ground was finally broken in 2013.[15] The total cost for the project exceeded $1 billion; the Commission borrowed from foreign investors for financing half the project by joining with the Delaware Valley Regional Center (DVRC) through the US Government EB-5 program, saving the Commission $35 million over conventional banking channels.[16]

In 1999 nude photos of State Senator Robert Jubelirer's wife are found on the computer of a turnpike employee.[9]

The required the commission to make quarterly payments to PennDOT, amounting to $450 million annually, to help fund public transportation in Pennsylvania,[17] with the support of then CEO Joe Brimmeier.[18] Act 44 was amended by to extend these payments until 2022.[19][20] Part of the Act included the commission assuming control of and placing tolls on Interstate 80, however this aspect of the plan was rejected by the Federal Highway Administration.[21]

Between 2007 and 2011 the commission spent $406,497 buying cars for the personal and business use of turnpike commissioners.[22]

In March of 2009 then governor Ed Rendell fired commission chairman Mitchell Rubin after the FBI indicated he was under investigation for taking a $30,000 a year no-show job for five years from then State Senator Vince Fumo.[23] Rubin later plead guilty to obstruction of justice.[24]

During 2010, the commission fired 12 turnpike employees for theft of turnpike time, materials or equipment. Several of the managers dismissed had ties to Vince Fumo or Bob Brady, who was a turnpike commissioner from 1991 to 1998.[25] George Hatalowich, then chief operating officer of the commission was charged with two counts of driving under the influence.[23] Timothy J. Carson, then vice chairman of the commission resigned after two drunk driving crashes while driving turnpike vehicles in 2003 and 2006.[23]

On April 28, 2010, Governor Ed Rendell proposed that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission be merged into the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. A special session of the state legislature voted on this issue on May 4.[26] On August 26, 2010, PennDOT told the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission that they needed to pay them $118 million for public transit funding provided by Act 44 or PennDOT would have veto power over the Turnpike Commission's decisions.[27]

In March 2018 the filed a lawsuit against the commission, claiming that tolls inhibited interstate commerce and travel.[28][29][30] This lawsuit caused the commission to delay all payments toward public transit between July 2018 to July 2019.[31]

In March 2019, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a $2 million study regarding a proposed hyperloop system in Pennsylvania. The commission hired the multinational engineering firm AECOM to perform the study, which will examine the impact such a system will have on the turnpike's operation, as well as regulatory and environmental concerns.[32]

In April 2020 the commission stated they might not be able to meet their obligation to help fund the state's public transit agencies and would consider delaying capital projects, except for the $129 million cashless tolling project.[31] In May, acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramain granted the commission an extension to this payment, saying "Transit received a big number under the CARES Act. There’s not going to be any gap in their transit funding."[33] A coalition of more than 80 unions and public transit rider organizations called on the commissioners to pay their transit funding obligation and for state legislators to find a stable means of transit funding.[34][35] In November 2020 the commission voted to issue $550 million in bonds to pay this obligation for the year.[36]

On June 2, 2020 the commissioners voted unanimously to abruptly terminate 492 toll workers. CEO Mark Compton cited falling toll revenue and concerns about exposing toll workers to COVID-19 as the reasons the layoffs were necessary. The commissioners said the layoffs would save the commission $42 million in 2020 and $65 million in 2021.[37]

Highways[]

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission finances, operates and maintains the following highways:

  • Pennsylvania Turnpike logo.svgI-70.svgI-76.svgI-276.svgI-95.svg The Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline across southern Pennsylvania, signed as Interstates 70, 76, 276 and 95.
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike logo.svgI-476.svg The Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension across eastern Pennsylvania, signed as Interstate 476.
  • I-376.svg The James E. Ross Highway in western Pennsylvania, signed as Interstate 376.
  • Turnpike-66.svg The Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass in western Pennsylvania, signed as Pennsylvania Route 66.
  • Turnpike-43.svg The Mon/Fayette Expressway in western Pennsylvania, signed as Pennsylvania Route 43.
  • Turnpike-576.svgI-576 (Future).svg The Southern Beltway in western Pennsylvania, signed as Pennsylvania Route 576. At some point in the future, the bypass is expected to be signed as Interstate 576.

Administrators[]

Commissioners[]

The turnpike is governed by five commissioners; one is the current Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation, four are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania. As of February 2021, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commissioners are:[2]

  • , Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation
  • , Vice Chair
  • Wadud Ahmad
  • John N. Wozniak (Secretary-Treasurer)

Executives[]

Mark P. Compton has been Chief executive officer of the commission since Feb. 1, 2013. Previously he was deputy secretary of administration at PennDOT. He succeeded Roger Nutt.[38]

Craig R. Shuey has been Chief operating officer since January 2011. Previously he worked as Government Affairs Director at the commission since 2009.[2] He briefly served as turnpike CEO after Roger Nutt resigned in October 2012.[39]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Years Ended May 31, 2020 With Independent Auditor's Report" (PDF). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 2020. p. 4. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Turnpike Officials". www.paturnpike.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  3. ^ Blazina, Ed (26 March 2018). "Turnpike awards $37.8 million contract for next segment of Southern Beltway". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  4. ^ Blazina, Ed (7 November 2017). "Turnpike moves ahead with final design of Mon-Fayette Expressway". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  5. ^ "DESIGN MANUAL, PART 2, HIGHWAY DESIGN (Publication 13M (DM-2))" (PDF).
  6. ^ Kitsko, Jeffery J. "Pennsylvania Highways: Pennsylvania Turnpike". www.pahighways.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  7. ^ "1953 Act 229". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  8. ^ Editorial, Guest (2016-09-02). "The Pa. Turnpike's tangled and corrupt history - explained: Brad Bumsted". pennlive. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "Turnpike Scandals". mcall.com. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  10. ^ "Con man Cerilli's probation ends, but he owes restitution, must pay fine". Triblive.
  11. ^ "Turnpike Hikes Hurt Commuters". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. July 13, 1978. p. 5. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  12. ^ "Project Overview". PA Turnpike / I-95 Interchange Project. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  13. ^ "Pa. gets OK to link turnpike with I-95". Burlington County Times. January 7, 2004. p. 2B.
  14. ^ Adler, Danny (July 30, 2012). "Linking I-95, turnpike getting real". Bucks County Courier Times. p. A1.
  15. ^ Chang, David (July 30, 2013). "New Project Links Pa. Turnpike to I-95". Philadelphia, PA: WCAU-TV. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  16. ^ Wekitzkin, Paul (2 December 2014). "Chinese investors helping build major US road link". China Daily (USA).
  17. ^ "2007 Act 44". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  18. ^ Frantz, Jeff (2013-06-24). "Pa. Turnpike scandal: Act 44 debt could haunt voters long after verdict". pennlive. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  19. ^ "Act 44 Plan". www.paturnpike.com. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  20. ^ "2013 Act 89". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  21. ^ "Act 44 & Transportation Funding".
  22. ^ Writer, By Paul Nussbaum, Inquirer Staff. "Pennsylvania Turnpike commissioners keep getting new cars at public expense". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b c Cook, Bonnie L.. "Third Pa. Turnpike official in a year arrested." Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA), April 23, 2010: B02. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/12F45B73E7A7D718.
  24. ^ "FORMER TURNPIKE CHAIRMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE." US Fed News (USA), April 8, 2010. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/12EF6AA6195CFF08.
  25. ^ Nussbaum, Paul. "Pa. Turnpike Commission fires 12 over abuses." Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA), September 26, 2010: B01. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1327C581B6CDC900.
  26. ^ Bumsted, Brad (29 April 2010). "Turnpike Commission, PennDOT merger eyed". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  27. ^ DiStefano, Joseph N. (26 August 2010). "PennDOT to Turnpike: Pay $118 million or we're taking over". Philly.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  28. ^ Laughlin, Jason. "Lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania's transit funding dismissed". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  29. ^ Stonesifer, Jared. "Lawsuit filed against Pa. Turnpike alleges excessive tolls are burden for truckers". The Times. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  30. ^ "Truckers' lawsuit calls for refund of 'excessive' Pa. turnpike toll hikes". pennlive. 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b "Pa. Turnpike considers cutting capital budget projects, transit payments". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  32. ^ "PA Turnpike approves $2m Pittsburgh-Philly hyperloop study". LebTown. March 9, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  33. ^ "Pa. Turnpike receives extension on July transit payment of $112.5 million". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  34. ^ "Advocates in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia pushing to keep Turnpike payments for transit". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  35. ^ "80+ PA Orgs, Unions, and Electeds Demand that the Turnpike Fulfill its Transit Funding Responsibilities, Call for Expanded Transit Trust Fund". Pittsburghers for Public Transit. 2020-05-14. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  36. ^ Blazina, Ed (2020-10-30). "PA: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will borrow $550 million to cover overdue transit payments". Mass Transit Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  37. ^ Shanahan, Julia (2020-06-15). "Pa. Turnpike officials defend decision to make toll road cashless, lay off nearly 500 workers". pennlive. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  38. ^ "PennDot executive tapped to lead Turnpike Commission." Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA), December 11, 2012: WEB. NewsBank: Access World News. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&docref=news/143217175E71E648.
  39. ^ WRITER, By Paul Nussbaum, INQUIRER STAFF. "Pa. Turnpike chief resigns". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
Retrieved from ""