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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 31, 1937 |
| Preceding |
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| Jurisdiction | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| Headquarters | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Employees | 2,029[1] |
| Annual budget | $399.6 million[2] |
| Agency executives |
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| Website | www |
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.[3]
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.[4][5]
The PTC is the only transportation agency in Pennsylvania that is not part of PennDOT, though it does follow current PennDOT policies and procedures. Mark Compton is the current CEO.
History
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."
In 1957 two commissioners and several contractors were convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges for defrauding the commission of $19 million.[7]
In 1963 a turnpike commissioner who replaced a commissioner from the previous scandal was charged with bribery, extortion and conspiracy.[8]
In 1978 former turnpike commissioner Egidio Cerelli was convicted of extortion, serving time in federal prison.[9]
In 1999 nude photos of State Senator Robert Jubelirer's wife are found on the computer of a turnpike employee.[8]
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.[10] 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.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
Highways
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission finances, operates and maintains the following highways:
The Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline across southern Pennsylvania, signed as Interstates 70, 76, 276 and 95.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension across eastern Pennsylvania, signed as Interstate 476.
The James E. Ross Highway in western Pennsylvania, signed as Interstate 376.
The Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass in western Pennsylvania, signed as Pennsylvania Route 66.
The Mon/Fayette Expressway in western Pennsylvania, signed as Pennsylvania Route 43.
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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.
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Commissioners
As of February 2021, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commissioners are:[3]
- Yassmin Gramian, Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation
- William K. Lieberman, Vice Chair
- Pasquale T. Deon Sr.
- Wadud Ahmad
- John N. Wozniak (Secretary-Treasurer)
See also
- List of Pennsylvania state agencies
- Mitchell Rubin
References
- ^ "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Years Ended May 31, 2017 and 2016 With Independent Auditor's Report" (PDF). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 2017. p. 128. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Years Ended May 31, 2017 and 2016 With Independent Auditor's Report" (PDF). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 2017. p. 3. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Turnpike Officials". www.paturnpike.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Blazina, Ed (26 March 2018). "Turnpike awards $37.8 million contract for next segment of Southern Beltway". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Blazina, Ed (7 November 2017). "Turnpike moves ahead with final design of Mon-Fayette Expressway". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Kitsko, Jeffery J. "Pennsylvania Highways: Pennsylvania Turnpike". www.pahighways.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Editorial, Guest (2016-09-02). "The Pa. Turnpike's tangled and corrupt history - explained: Brad Bumsted". pennlive. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ a b "Turnpike Scandals". mcall.com. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "Con man Cerilli's probation ends, but he owes restitution, must pay fine". Triblive.
- ^ Bumsted, Brad (29 April 2010). "Turnpike Commission, PennDOT merger eyed". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ DiStefano, Joseph N. (26 August 2010). "PennDOT to Turnpike: Pay $118 million or we're taking over". Philly.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "PA Turnpike approves $2m Pittsburgh-Philly hyperloop study". LebTown. March 9, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- ^ 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.