Letter to the editor: Solving turnpike debt problems

The editorial “Turnpike debt problems must be Harrisburg priority” (Sept. 12, TribLIVE) was spot on: We need a solution to the state’s longstanding transportation-funding shortfall.

The report by Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor confirms that our agency continues to meet our commitments to customers — even as we emerge from a pandemic that drastically impacted our operations, traffic and revenue while continuing to shoulder the hefty financial burden of Act 44.

One of the audit’s main findings was that the turnpike has taken on significant debt because of Act 44 — $8 billion in all — to pay PennDOT $450 million annually to support non-turnpike transportation needs across the state.

While those payments have recently been reduced to $50 million annually — and we have managed debt efficiently and controlled operating costs — paying the accrued debt will require ongoing toll increases for decades.

The turnpike is vital to the commonwealth’s economy, linking families and friends while accommodating cross-state commercial traffic; so, the annual, obligatory toll increases are among the most difficult votes commissioners must make.

DeFoor recommended that the turnpike and state legislature work together on measures to further relieve our organization from the resulting debt-service obligations — and release turnpike travelers from these incessant, mandatory toll increases.

We at the turnpike will continue to work with the General Assembly to find creative, innovative solutions to mitigate the financial burden on our customers because of Act 44. Our commonwealth needs to maintain a safe, reliable and growing ground-transportation system to power our statewide economy.

Mark Compton

Harrisburg

The writer is CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.