PA Turnpike Commission Mired In $11 Billion Debt

Despite having hiked tolls 200 percent over the past decade, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is a staggering $11 billion in debt, according to state Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards.

Testifying recently before the House Appropriations Committee, Richards said that’s not the only problem the commision faces. The agency has has missed three consecutive quarterly payments on the $450 million annually it is required to give the state for transit projects.

The commission also is facing a lawsuit contending it is violating federal law by using toll money for projects unrelated to the turnpike. The plaintiffs want the commission to pay back the $6 billion it has sent to PennDOT since 2007.

“We have to start talking about what that would mean,” said Richards, who also serves as chair of the turnpike commission board. “t would be catastrophic to have to pay back $6 billion right away.”

Richards said that if the lawsuit isn’t settled by the beginning of the new fiscal year in July, the state likely will cut its Amtrak subsidy in half and transit services in many cities could see cuts.

You can see Richards’ entire testimony by clicking here.

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