^^^
I wonder why that situation has been allowed to continue. As in earlier rants on the tolling debate, the political power in the state rests where most of the people are. That is in the Philly and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas. And, to a lesser degree (ABE, WB/Scranton, Harrisburg, Reading, Lancaster, Erie, etc.)
So, in theory, there is enough voter influence to do what the voters want especially compared to the sparse northern PA population.
My guess is that the Turnpike generates too much money to de-toll it. So, I think that was part of the 80 tolling legislation, flawed though it was.
IMO, what should be done is that ALL interstates and other freeway grade highways in the state should be tolled and tolled at the same per mile rate. Plus, tolls on any given segment could only be used on that segment.
Of course, at the present time, any tolling of a "free" highway in PA or pretty much anywhere is a dead issue unless new legislation is passed on the Federal level as IIRC, the pilot legislation slots are now filled.
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On a different vein, the tolled turnpike vs "free" I-80 may not be fair. But, there aren't many jobs in the I-80 corridor either. Or, for that matter, in the rural areas along the turnpike between Philly, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Which is not "fair" either.
But, hey, life isn't fair! And, no amount of legislation can fix more that a fraction of that.