PA Turnpike News

[Crown Victoria]

A recent study finds that, driven the greatest end-to-end distance (Gateway to Clarks Summit via Mid-County) and using Toll-By-Plate, the PA Turnpike is the most expensive toll road worldwide.

https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/03/pa-turnpike-tolls-most-expensive/6902492002/

The biggest issue that I have with this is that the study compares toll facilities without regard to their length, i.e. long-distance turnpikes, toll bridges, and everything in between. A better comparison would be comparing toll facilities by cost per unit of distance, either miles or kilometers, including methods of payment.

For comparison purposes, an example I'll use is the PA Turnpike vs the West Virginia Turnpike. Currently, it costs 13.6 cents/mile to travel the WV Turnpike regardless of payment method (unless you're in the single fee program). The PA Turnpike is more expensive (by a lot) if you pay by mail (25.5 cents/mile), but CHEAPER using EZ Pass (12.6 cents/mile).

Another example using a much shorter distance would be the Delaware Turnpike portion of I-95, which costs 33.3 cents/mile regardless of payment method ($4 to travel from the MD line to I-295).

The Holland Tunnel costs between $11.75 and $16, depending on payment method and time of day, to travel 1.62 miles. That's at least $7.25/mile! Exactly why comparing toll facilities needs to account for distance traveled and other factors.

[vdeane]

I wonder how it compares to ON 407 or the Confederation Bridge.

[wilbur_the_goose]

I noticed yesterday that the tollbooth overhead signage for EZ Pass/Cash were removed from Downingtown and Reading interchanges.   Also, I think the 5 MPH speed limit signs were replace with "Keep Moving" signs.

[SGwithADD]

A recent study finds that, driven the greatest end-to-end distance (Gateway to Clarks Summit via Mid-County) and using Toll-By-Plate, the PA Turnpike is the most expensive toll road worldwide.

https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/03/pa-turnpike-tolls-most-expensive/6902492002/

The biggest issue that I have with this is that the study compares toll facilities without regard to their length, i.e. long-distance turnpikes, toll bridges, and everything in between. A better comparison would be comparing toll facilities by cost per unit of distance, either miles or kilometers, including methods of payment.

For comparison purposes, an example I'll use is the PA Turnpike vs the West Virginia Turnpike. Currently, it costs 13.6 cents/mile to travel the WV Turnpike regardless of payment method (unless you're in the single fee program). The PA Turnpike is more expensive (by a lot) if you pay by mail (25.5 cents/mile), but CHEAPER using EZ Pass (12.6 cents/mile).

Another example using a much shorter distance would be the Delaware Turnpike portion of I-95, which costs 33.3 cents/mile regardless of payment method ($4 to travel from the MD line to I-295).

The Holland Tunnel costs between $11.75 and $16, depending on payment method and time of day, to travel 1.62 miles. That's at least $7.25/mile! Exactly why comparing toll facilities needs to account for distance traveled and other factors.

Not that the turnpike isn't expensive, but the study's also a bit misleading. It quotes the toll for traveling from the Ohio border to Clarks Summit via the turnpike and the NE extension, yet reports only the base mainline mileage of 360 miles (580 km in the study, because Australia).  End-to-end on the mainline is $95.30, while Ohio to Clarks Summit at $112.90 is a ~447-mile journey (not to mention one that nobody would normally take, as it makes more sense to use 80 to 81 instead of going south then north).  This article at least discusses the mainline toll, but others seem to be leaving it out completely.

[MASTERNC]

I noticed yesterday that the tollbooth overhead signage for EZ Pass/Cash were removed from Downingtown and Reading interchanges.   Also, I think the 5 MPH speed limit signs were replace with "Keep Moving" signs.

There are 15 MPH signs at the Valley Forge interchange.  Likewise, the overhead signage was removed from Mid-County and Bensalem interchanges.

[roadman65]

I heard that Maryland has a sign at Hancock, MD on WB I-70 informing motorists that I-68 is free road westward. 

[Alps]

I heard that Maryland has a sign at Hancock, MD on WB I-70 informing motorists that I-68 is free road westward. 

nope

[Roadrunner75]

I heard that Maryland has a sign at Hancock, MD on WB I-70 informing motorists that I-68 is free road westward. 

nope

The closest to that is probably just this "Alt Route West" sign:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6533096,-78.0477514,3a,80.7y,343.04h,99.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqFM4r56x3NGNKtY2fbZgeQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[Rothman]

I heard that Maryland has a sign at Hancock, MD on WB I-70 informing motorists that I-68 is free road westward. 

nope

The closest to that is probably just this "Alt Route West" sign:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6533096,-78.0477514,3a,80.7y,343.04h,99.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqFM4r56x3NGNKtY2fbZgeQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Or the MD-68 is not I-68 sign.

[MASTERNC]

It is amazing the Turnpike hasn't covered up the signs for slip ramps that still say they are for only for E-ZPass customers.  They themselves have said in an online newsletter that those are no longer exclusive to tagholders (and you can even calculate Toll by Plate rates for those exits).

Also, it sounds like the PA Turnpike might actually start widening in the MP 320-326 section.  They would only widen between the Valley Forge Service Plaza and interchange (about 2 miles) and work could begin some time this year.  The tree clearing work they have been doing lately is part of the project.

[Roadsguy]

It is amazing the Turnpike hasn't covered up the signs for slip ramps that still say they are for only for E-ZPass customers.  They themselves have said in an online newsletter that those are no longer exclusive to tagholders (and you can even calculate Toll by Plate rates for those exits).

They've actually opened them up to toll-by-plate? I know they said pre-pandemic that they were going to when they went all-electronic on the mainline, but didn't notice that they had actually done it yet.

I don't think they've actually changed any permanent signage yet for AET. I'm sure they would have on the original timeframe, but now they might just not be in any hurry. They have, however, removed all the overhead signage for each lane at the toll plazas, including the digital displays on newer toll plazas. Now it's just empty spaces; they didn't even bother putting up generic "E-ZPass/Toll by Plate" signs over each lane like they did the Northeast Extension, I-376, PA 43, and PA 66. Maybe they'll fast-track toll plaza removal and open-road tolling conversion now that the mainline is AET, or maybe they're just waiting until they get around to changing all the signage to put those generic over-lane signs up.

[vdeane]

The pessimist in me wonders if they'll just leave everything like that figuring "traffic has been coping with it so far, why spend money we don't have?".

[MASTERNC]

It is amazing the Turnpike hasn't covered up the signs for slip ramps that still say they are for only for E-ZPass customers.  They themselves have said in an online newsletter that those are no longer exclusive to tagholders (and you can even calculate Toll by Plate rates for those exits).

They've actually opened them up to toll-by-plate? I know they said pre-pandemic that they were going to when they went all-electronic on the mainline, but didn't notice that they had actually done it yet.

I don't think they've actually changed any permanent signage yet for AET. I'm sure they would have on the original timeframe, but now they might just not be in any hurry. They have, however, removed all the overhead signage for each lane at the toll plazas, including the digital displays on newer toll plazas. Now it's just empty spaces; they didn't even bother putting up generic "E-ZPass/Toll by Plate" signs over each lane like they did the Northeast Extension, I-376, PA 43, and PA 66. Maybe they'll fast-track toll plaza removal and open-road tolling conversion now that the mainline is AET, or maybe they're just waiting until they get around to changing all the signage to put those generic over-lane signs up.

Some of the major interchanges now have the "All Lanes: E-ZPass or Toll-By-Plate" signs at entry & exit.  I know Lehigh Valley, Carlisle, and Gettysburg Pike have them.

[74/171FAN]

The pessimist in me wonders if they'll just leave everything like that figuring "traffic has been coping with it so far, why spend money we don't have?".

That is my sentiment on this.  I think I have been on the PA Turnpike once in the last two years.

[tylert120]

The pessimist in me wonders if they'll just leave everything like that figuring "traffic has been coping with it so far, why spend money we don't have?".

Because the Turnpike is great at spending money it doesn't have. 

[ixnay]

I heard that Maryland has a sign at Hancock, MD on WB I-70 informing motorists that I-68 is free road westward. 

nope

The closest to that is probably just this "Alt Route West" sign:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6533096,-78.0477514,3a,80.7y,343.04h,99.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqFM4r56x3NGNKtY2fbZgeQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Did that sign replace the blue on white "[I-68 shield]/Alternate Route to Ohio and Points West" sign?

ixnay

[jmacswimmer]

I heard that Maryland has a sign at Hancock, MD on WB I-70 informing motorists that I-68 is free road westward. 

nope

The closest to that is probably just this "Alt Route West" sign:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6533096,-78.0477514,3a,80.7y,343.04h,99.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqFM4r56x3NGNKtY2fbZgeQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Did that sign replace the blue on white "[I-68 shield]/Alternate Route to Ohio and Points West" sign?

ixnay

No - that one also still exists a mile upstream from the one Roadrunner75 linked:

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6443704,-78.0369482,3a,37.6y,323.54h,88.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stnk3CaDUtmciFjCX-_ANrg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1?hl=en

[MASTERNC]

Looks like there might be some new directional signage noting AET sitting in the maintenance facility just off the Mid County interchange.

EDIT: I got a better look today.  Looks like signage for the Street Road slip ramp - it says NO TRUCKS and seems to have a TO directional indicator (likely to 95/NJTP).  They are modifying that intersection alongside the US 1 construction, so it makes sense.  I did not see E-ZPass ONLY on that sign, so it might be the first one indicating the ramp is open to any car.

[Roadsguy]

I went through the Valley Forge interchange today and noticed that the overhead E-ZPass/cash signs are still up over each toll plaza lane, though they have installed the "Keep Moving" signs. Are there any other interchanges known where they haven't removed the overhead signs yet? Every other interchange I've been through recently (Harrisburg East, Lebanon-Lancaster, Downingtown, and Norristown) don't have them anymore.

[sbeaver44]

Does the short connector between the New Stanton Interchange and US 119/PA 66 have a signed number?  It looks like it is just SR 3091 or "New Stanton-Youngwood Rd"  but naturally Google shows it as PA 66B.  I don't see anything on GSV to suggest 66B is real?

[roadman65]

How does the 31A and 31B work now being cash is eliminated?  Is 31B closed to traffic on the NE Extension?  Or did they close 31A?  Or did they make 31A for PA 63 E Bound and 31B for PA 63 WB?

[MASTERNC]

How does the 31A and 31B work now being cash is eliminated?  Is 31B closed to traffic on the NE Extension?  Or did they close 31A?  Or did they make 31A for PA 63 E Bound and 31B for PA 63 WB?

I don't think they've established that yet.  Personally, I'd make Exit 31A for eastbound traffic and Exit 31B for westbound

[74/171FAN]

Does the short connector between the New Stanton Interchange and US 119/PA 66 have a signed number?  It looks like it is just SR 3091 or "New Stanton-Youngwood Rd"  but naturally Google shows it as PA 66B.  I don't see anything on GSV to suggest 66B is real?

I do not believe it is any signed route, but clarifying this with District 12 would not hurt.

How does the 31A and 31B work now being cash is eliminated?  Is 31B closed to traffic on the NE Extension?  Or did they close 31A?  Or did they make 31A for PA 63 E Bound and 31B for PA 63 WB?

I believe that you could probably use either exit and just get a bill in the mail. However, I have not driven this part of I-476 since I clinched it in 2016.  Maybe briantroutman could clarify this one.

[akotchi]

For now, nothing has really changed at 31A and 31B, including the signing.  Both exits are open, and 31B can be used to access both directions of Route 63.  I go up there about once a month.  I will be going back up there in a couple of weeks, so I will pay more attention then.

[Bitmapped]

Does the short connector between the New Stanton Interchange and US 119/PA 66 have a signed number?  It looks like it is just SR 3091 or "New Stanton-Youngwood Rd"  but naturally Google shows it as PA 66B.  I don't see anything on GSV to suggest 66B is real?

It is a quadrant route (SR 3091), which is not signed other than on PennDOT's little white signs. From US 119 and PA 66, it is signed as I-70/I-76/Turnpike. From I-70/I-76, it is signed as US 119/Turnpike 66.

Since the whole complex more-or-less functions as one big interchange, I don't think there would be much benefit to independently signing the connector. Just indicating the routes it connects to is less confusing for drivers.