PA Turnpike News

[noelbotevera]

Most of this expensive toll rate thing is because PA is quite broke. Really, just find a toll rate that PennDOT and everyone else can be happy with.

[PHLBOS]

Most of this expensive toll rate thing is because PA is quite broke. Really, just find a toll rate that PennDOT PTC and everyone else can be happy with.

FTFY.

I mentioned earlier that a $3 E-ZPass/$3 cash-by-mail toll would be a reasonable amount (again, keep in mind that those coming from Florence have already paid an additional $2 to $3 (to the NJTPA) just to get on the Turnpike at the Jersey side of the bridge).  One wants a toll rate to be competitive enough to stimulate (read "encourage") more traffic to use it.  More traffic = more overall toll revenue collected.

If one makes the toll too steep; I guarantee you that the 2-lane Burlington-Bristol Bridge (the next closest bridge to the Turnpike bridge that charges a $2 PA-bound toll) will see a sizable surge in traffic possibly to the point where the PTC may now start getting complaints from outside of the Commonwealth regarding such.

IMHO, this could be another Sakonnet Bridge toll battle in the making.

[Alps]

A detour around Scudder Falls will be quite a bit longer, and the best option - over the Calhoun Street Bridge - involves a narrower bridge and a longer drive thru Morrisville.  But considering these people currently have a free ride, they're not going to be happy no matter what the toll will be.

Getting OT, but 1 to the Trenton Makes bridge is even better than Calhoun.

[MASTERNC]

This one, however, is much larger than usual (at least for E-ZPass customers)

the increases are the same for cash and EZpass - was that not the case previously?

Yes, there were years increases were lower (or non-existent) for E-ZPass customers.

What concerns me is that one article mentions toll increases are likely for the next 30 years.  If you assume a median (4.5%) increase between the 3-6% they noted, tolls would more than triple in 30 years.

[ekt8750]

It'll come to the point where 78, 80 and 30 will be reasonable shunpikes.

[cl94]

It'll come to the point where 78, 80 and 30 will be reasonable shunpikes.

Depends on the price of gas. If gas prices increase with inflation, assuming no alternative fuels come into widespread use, the Turnpike might still be cheaper.

[Alps]

It'll come to the point where 78, 80 and 30 will be reasonable shunpikes.

I'd take 22 before 30.

[roadman65]

It's going to be even more ridiculous when (future I-295 / ) I-95 north of Trenton's crossing via the Scudder Falls Bridge will become tolled.

What agency will be tolling that upgraded crossing?  I'm assuming that it will be the DRJTBC (which tolls the US 1 crossing).  Hopefully, they'll have the decency to show some restraint with the future toll rate.  IMHO, that new crossing (Scudder Falls) should not have a PA-bound toll higher than $3 (for passenger vehicles).  All other DRJTBC tolled crossings are currently only $1.

DRJTBC owns the Scudder Falls Bridge. Also I believe the tolls are going up to fund the bridge widening (or are they flat out replacing it?) project so hopefully they go away after its paid for. *snickers*

The bridge is being replaced, and DRJTBC already said the tolls won't be going away.

A detour around Scudder Falls will be quite a bit longer, and the best option - over the Calhoun Street Bridge - involves a narrower bridge and a longer drive thru Morrisville.  But considering these people currently have a free ride, they're not going to be happy no matter what the toll will be.

When I moved down to Florida back in 1990, almost eight years after the Airport Mainline Plaza on FL 528 was added, still people were complaining about that particular toll point.  As prior to 1982, FL 528 was a free road as the current Beachline Freeway was not yet built between present day exits 8 and 13.  A four lane arterial was in place of the freeway and charged nothing. 

When the road was upgraded to freeway to complete the missing link of FL 528's freeway (FL 528 was continuously numbered over the arterial which was McCoy Road) the toll went up and the free alternative became the service road, people complained about paying a toll as they never did before.  As the service road became the new McCoy Road, it got narrowed to two lanes and at its intersection with FL 436, it does a lot of weaving because of the current Exit 11 on FL 528, so the road veers northward and comes to meet with FL 436 at grade 2/10 mile north of the FL 528 and FL 436 interchange.  On the realigned McCoy Road near hear it is a longer distance than the 2/10 mile as it zigs very much and a reduced 35 mph speed limit makes the trip longer.

People will complain, no matter what. You charge for something that was not before and no one likes it.  Of course businesses and government agencies know that and if they have you over a barrel they will do it.  Look at gas prices as we need to use our cars, so naturally the price of oil is much higher than it was 15 years ago, as we have no choice to pay it or else we do not get to work or the market.  Demand, I believe is the word which is why the PTC will jack up prices just like every other commodity out there.

[iBallasticwolf2]

It's going to be even more ridiculous when (future I-295 / ) I-95 north of Trenton's crossing via the Scudder Falls Bridge will become tolled.

What agency will be tolling that upgraded crossing?  I'm assuming that it will be the DRJTBC (which tolls the US 1 crossing).  Hopefully, they'll have the decency to show some restraint with the future toll rate.  IMHO, that new crossing (Scudder Falls) should not have a PA-bound toll higher than $3 (for passenger vehicles).  All other DRJTBC tolled crossings are currently only $1.

DRJTBC owns the Scudder Falls Bridge. Also I believe the tolls are going up to fund the bridge widening (or are they flat out replacing it?) project so hopefully they go away after its paid for. *snickers*

The bridge is being replaced, and DRJTBC already said the tolls won't be going away.

A detour around Scudder Falls will be quite a bit longer, and the best option - over the Calhoun Street Bridge - involves a narrower bridge and a longer drive thru Morrisville.  But considering these people currently have a free ride, they're not going to be happy no matter what the toll will be.

When I moved down to Florida back in 1990, almost eight years after the Airport Mainline Plaza on FL 528 was added, still people were complaining about that particular toll point.  As prior to 1982, FL 528 was a free road as the current Beachline Freeway was not yet built between present day exits 8 and 13.  A four lane arterial was in place of the freeway and charged nothing. 

When the road was upgraded to freeway to complete the missing link of FL 528's freeway (FL 528 was continuously numbered over the arterial which was McCoy Road) the toll went up and the free alternative became the service road, people complained about paying a toll as they never did before.  As the service road became the new McCoy Road, it got narrowed to two lanes and at its intersection with FL 436, it does a lot of weaving because of the current Exit 11 on FL 528, so the road veers northward and comes to meet with FL 436 at grade 2/10 mile north of the FL 528 and FL 436 interchange.  On the realigned McCoy Road near hear it is a longer distance than the 2/10 mile as it zigs very much and a reduced 35 mph speed limit makes the trip longer.

People will complain, no matter what. You charge for something that was not before and no one likes it.  Of course businesses and government agencies know that and if they have you over a barrel they will do it.  Look at gas prices as we need to use our cars, so naturally the price of oil is much higher than it was 15 years ago, as we have no choice to pay it or else we do not get to work or the market.  Demand, I believe is the word which is why the PTC will jack up prices just like every other commodity out there.

And this is what throws the fact that people are not making more money into this. Inflation with no more wage, no wonder people want the minimum wage raised. But politics are another Flamewarconversation........

[cpzilliacus]

It'll come to the point where 78, 80 and 30 will be reasonable shunpikes.

I'd take 22 before 30.

30 is awful east of Lancaster.

[cpzilliacus]

Most of this expensive toll rate thing is because PA is quite SEPTA and the Port Authority of Allegheny County are broke and would massively cut-back operations or impose huge fare increases on their riders without the enormous diversion of toll revenue from Pennsylvania Turnpike patrons. Really, just find a toll rate that PennDOT and everyone else can be happy with.

FTFY.

[ekt8750]

It'll come to the point where 78, 80 and 30 will be reasonable shunpikes.

I'd take 22 before 30.

30 is awful east of Lancaster.

The bypass isn't too bad if it doesn't have spillage traffic off of 202 but yeah you get east of Paoli you're screwed.

[PHLBOS]

Most of this expensive toll rate thing is because PA is quite SEPTA and the Port Authority of Allegheny County are broke and would massively cut-back operations or impose huge fare increases on their riders without the enormous diversion of toll revenue from Pennsylvania Turnpike patrons.

FTFY.

Prior to the passage of Act 89; SEPTA actually threatened to shut down about 60% of its Regional Rail sytem (including the line I use for commuting) and retire all its remaining Silverliner IV cars without replacements.  As a result, then-Gov. Corbett blinked (some say that move cost him his re-election bid later that year) and the rest is history.

30 is awful east of Lancaster.

The bypass isn't too bad if it doesn't have spillage traffic off of 202 but yeah you get east of Paoli you're screwed.

CP's referring to the stretch of US 30 between the bypass (just west of Coatesville) and Lancaster.  That stretch of road does get congested... even on weekends.

[ixnay]

It's going to be even more ridiculous when (future I-295 / ) I-95 north of Trenton's crossing via the Scudder Falls Bridge will become tolled.

What agency will be tolling that upgraded crossing?  I'm assuming that it will be the DRJTBC (which tolls the US 1 crossing).  Hopefully, they'll have the decency to show some restraint with the future toll rate.  IMHO, that new crossing (Scudder Falls) should not have a PA-bound toll higher than $3 (for passenger vehicles).  All other DRJTBC tolled crossings are currently only $1.

DRJTBC owns the Scudder Falls Bridge. Also I believe the tolls are going up to fund the bridge widening (or are they flat out replacing it?) project so hopefully they go away after its paid for. *snickers*

That the Scudder bridge is going toll is news to me.  When was it first announced?  Google isn't helping.

ixnay

[Roadrunner75]

30 is awful east of Lancaster.

The bypass isn't too bad if it doesn't have spillage traffic off of 202 but yeah you get east of Paoli you're screwed.

CP's referring to the stretch of US 30 between the bypass (just west of Coatesville) and Lancaster.  That stretch of road does get congested... even on weekends.

I use 30 as a shunpike quite a bit to visit relatives near Gettysburg.  Unless I really have to make time, I usually go with 30 because I find the turnpike horribly boring between Valley Forge and Harrisburg.  Most of it I find to be relatively fine (typically driving this on a weekend), except I agree on the stretch immediately east of the freeway segment around Lancaster.  I believe there's some improvements coming soon at 41 in Gap, although I'd like to see something done in the aforementioned segment.  If we're lucky, they will start building a bypass here, grade the roadways, install some bridges and then abandon the project to continue the County's limited access goat path network.

[odditude]

That the Scudder bridge is going toll is news to me.  When was it first announced?  Google isn't helping.

ixnay

December 2010.

[jeffandnicole]

That the Scudder bridge is going toll is news to me.  When was it first announced?  Google isn't helping.

ixnay

December 2010.

Actually, December 2009!

https://www.drjtbc.org/default.aspx?pageid=735

In December 2009, the Commission voted to establish cashless tolling for the Scudder Falls Replacement Bridge. 

[Alps]

It'll come to the point where 78, 80 and 30 will be reasonable shunpikes.

I'd take 22 before 30.

30 is awful east of Lancaster.

You can take 741 or 340.

[cpzilliacus]

Philly.com: Pa. Turnpike looks to do away with toll collectors

The opening of the Pennsylvania Turnpike's first all-electronic toll facility in Bucks County in January will be the first step toward doing away with cash tolls - and toll collectors - all along the turnpike.

All-electronic tolling also is part of the long-delayed direct connection between the turnpike and I-95, now under construction.

In January, when all turnpike tolls are to be increased by 6 percent, a new electronic toll will also be imposed on westbound vehicles at the eastern end of the turnpike. The toll will be $5 for vehicles with E-ZPass and $6.75 for those without. The non-E-ZPass vehicles' owners will be billed by mail, based on license plates.

That is a harbinger of the future.

[odditude]

Philly.com: Pa. Turnpike looks to do away with toll collectorsl

so of course the article's picture is of a toll both on the NJ Turnpike.

[02 Park Ave]

Philly.com: Pa. Turnpike looks to do away with toll collectorsl

so of course the article's picture is of a toll both on the NJ Turnpike.

The article is from Philadelphia, so what do you expect?

[vdeane]

I'm pretty sure news organizations these days just google "toll booths" and grab the first image they find rather than actually sending out a photographer.  There's been a lot of downsizing these days.

[roadman65]

A toll booth is a toll booth in some people's mind.  It does not matter which road its on, its all the same I feel that some believe.

[PHLBOS]

I use 30 as a shunpike quite a bit to visit relatives near Gettysburg.  Unless I really have to make time, I usually go with 30 because I find the turnpike horribly boring between Valley Forge and Harrisburg.  Most of it I find to be relatively fine (typically driving this on a weekend), except I agree on the stretch immediately east of the freeway segment around Lancaster.

One downside with the freeway portions of 30, from Lancaster and points east, is that still has a posted 55-mph speed limit vs. the Turnpike's posted 65 and 70 (west of I-176/Morgantown) limits.

I believe there's some improvements coming soon at 41 in Gap, although I'd like to see something done in the aforementioned segment.  If we're lucky, they will start building a bypass here, grade the roadways, install some bridges and then abandon the project to continue the County's limited access goat path network.

Not to sound like a skeptic, but I'll believe such when I actually see it being built.  Truth be told, fictional territory here, there needs to be a US 30 freeway link between PA 462 and Coatesville (just east of PA 10) as well as an upgrade of PA 41 into a freeway north of US 1.

You can take 741 or 340.

The downside of using those roads are when one gets behind a slowpoke (I'm not just talking about Amish buggies) and there's no passing zones (741 has a few, 340... not so much); and one has to slow down when going through some towns.

While both are good alternatives to 30; such may not be of help regarding the PA Turnpike (which is further north).

[odditude]

there's also no good alternatives if you're coming from north of the city. as it is, if i'm going to the Lansdale/Collegeville/Phoenixville area, my options are to take route 1 down to the Turnpike and then back up the NE Ext or back-road the entire thing at a significant time cost - and that's not even that long a trip.