Stout says I-80 Denial is a Devastating Blow to Transportation
Roads, Bridges, Transit Severely Impacted

Harrisburg, April 7, 2010 – State Sen. J. Barry Stout, longtime Democratic chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said today that the federal decision to deny the tolling of I-80 may reverberate for years and have an adverse and lasting economic impact throughout Pennsylvania.

“Yesterday’s decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation to deny Pennsylvania’s application to raise revenue by tolling I-80 is a devastating blow to the transportation infrastructure needs of our Commonwealth,” said Stout (D-Washington/
Westmoreland/Beaver/Greene/Allegheny). “It is necessary for the legislature to review all alternative solutions to fund our transportation needs.

“Transportation infrastructure is the cornerstone of the economy and if there are not enough funds to maintain, restore and provide safe travel for all, every citizen of Pennsylvania will suffer,” Stout said.

Stout said even if the tolling of I-80 were permitted Pennsylvania would have been on the precipice of a transportation crisis. Now it will be even worse, he said. As a result of the denial, there will be even more unmet transportation needs as roughly 100 fewer bridge projects per year will be completed.

The state has approximately 4,600 structurally deficient bridges and the state’s aggressive program aimed at reducing this number will suffer.

Stout, long recognized for his expertise on transportation issues, served as a member of the Transportation Funding and Reform Commission.

“I participated in analyzing the transportation funding needs of the Commonwealth. Originally the need was $1.7 billion and now we are looking at a $3 billion shortfall, according to new analyses being done by the Transportation Advisory Committee,” Stout said.

Stout serves as a ranking member of the Senate Transportation Committee, the second ranking member of the State Transportation Commission, and is a member of the Transportation Funding & Reform Commission. He believes that the transportation needs of the Commonwealth are of the utmost importance to the well-being of every citizen.

“I have supported responsible funding of the Commonwealth’s transportation system because it is crucial for our economy and I support the governor’s suggestion for a Special Session to deal with this issue,” Stout said. “I believe all members —regardless of party or geographical location — need to come together to work toward a realistic funding measure that can be implemented.

“The transportation needs will not go away and, beginning July 1 and every year thereafter, they will only become worse,” Stout said.

Stout, who is completing nearly 40 years of service in the General Assembly, challenged those who have been so critical of the plan to toll I-80 to quickly come forward and lay out their detailed plans on addressing the looming transportation crisis.

“It is easy for critics to find fault and point fingers, yet it is much more difficult for these same naysayers to produce a plan that will not only gain universal acceptance but will meet our future transportation needs,” Stout said.

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