It’s been almost a year since PennDOT’s P3 board approved the bridge tolling project that will soon cost PMTA members $10-12 every time their trucks cross one of nine interstate bridges in Pennsylvania. PMTA has been fighting this initiative since November because of the devastating impact these tolls will have on the trucking industry in the state.

Now is the time for PMTA members to reach out to your state representative and ask them to support SB 382 to stop bridge tolling!

Over the course of a year, PMTA has testified several times, addressed letters to lawmakers, and spoken out at every chance to educate policymakers about the consequences of targeting an industry that already pays almost 40% of the taxes on transportation in Pennsylvania. PMTA members have also spoken to elected officials about the impact of bridge tolling on their businesses. These efforts have paid off, but there is more to do. In April, the state Senate passed SB 382, a bill introduced by Senator Wayne Langerholc, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, which would stop the bridge tolling initiative and require future PennDOT tolling projects to be approved by the legislature. After passing the Senate, that bill moved to the state House, where it must be approved by the House Transportation Committee before it can be considered by the full House.

Getting SB 382 passed this fall is critically important for two reasons. First, PennDOT is planning to sign the contract with the vendor to manage the nine projects in January. After this, it will be too last to reverse the plan. The legislature must act now.

Second, this past summer, the Governor’s Transportation Revenue Options Commission recommended that PennDOT proceed with other tolling projects to raise revenue, including corridor tolling and managed lanes in high-volume corridors.

The House Transportation Committee has had two hearings on the bridge tolling initiative, yet still have not scheduled a vote on SB 382. It is critically important that PMTA members contact their state House member NOW and ask them to urge a vote on SB 382. 

Find your representative here and give their office a call or send a message: Find Your Legislator - PA General Assembly (state.pa.us). PMTA’s talking points are available here.  

Lawmakers want to hear from their constituents on issues that matter to them. Please don’t miss this opportunity to let them know how tolling will affect our industry and your business!