PA Turnpike News

[MASTERNC]

In case you're wondering when the next toll increase will be announced...the decision on that has been delayed until August:

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2022/07/19/pennsylvania-turnpike-board-reorganization-new-chairman-postpone-toll-hike/stories/202207180086


They say it's because of the PTC board reorganization, but announcing toll increases doesn't go well with news about increasing losses of toll revenue due to nonpayment of Toll by Plate bills, especially when "higher fees" is one of the reasons listed.

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2022/07/18/pennsylvania-turnpike-unpaid-tolls-increase-penndot-more-drivers-higher-fees/stories/202207170045

From the looks of the photos, it seems the new Warrendale gantry is already up.

[Crown Victoria]

In case you're wondering when the next toll increase will be announced...the decision on that has been delayed until August:

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2022/07/19/pennsylvania-turnpike-board-reorganization-new-chairman-postpone-toll-hike/stories/202207180086


They say it's because of the PTC board reorganization, but announcing toll increases doesn't go well with news about increasing losses of toll revenue due to nonpayment of Toll by Plate bills, especially when "higher fees" is one of the reasons listed.

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2022/07/18/pennsylvania-turnpike-unpaid-tolls-increase-penndot-more-drivers-higher-fees/stories/202207170045

From the looks of the photos, it seems the new Warrendale gantry is already up.

Yes, they had the new gantry up (but not operational yet) when we passed through the area a few weeks ago. There was also a good amount of paving completed in the reconstruction area just west of there (MP 28-31).

Also, paving was in progress for the short realignments being constructed for the MP 102-109 reconstruction.

However, there weren't many signs of activity yet at the MP 126-131 reconstruction. Maybe some equipment staging but that's it. That project should start picking up soon.

[74/171FAN]

PennDOT - District 6 News: PA Turnpike to Close Kumry Road for Construction in Milford Township

This definitely should be related to the current widening on I-476 up to PA 663.

[bluecountry]

Maybe they can actually make I-70 a freeway by using that money to help build an I-70 interchange with I-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike(with no signals or shopping centers off it)

Yeah I would not even think about making a post saying that today.  I know the situation much better and differently now.  Something called maturity is important.

Why is this just accepted and not top priority, fuck Bud Shuster.

[MASTERNC]

Another year, another toll increase. Of course they try to spin it by comparing the rate to a bunch of short distance toll roads. Other than the NJ Turnpike, you can't spin this is the most expensive long distance road in the nation.

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2022/08/02/pa-turnpike-commission-approves-5-toll-increase-for-2023

[thenetwork]

Sure, compared to how much it costs per mile to cross the George Washington Bridge vs. The cost per mile on the Penna Pike, the Pike will always be a waaaay better value.

And I-70 thru Breezewood has been a great idea for the past 50-some years as well!!

[famartin]

Is it PennDOT or PTC that can't decide on what trailblazer to place on signs, since I see both the black letters on white background version and the white letters on green background at various spots around the state?

[ARMOURERERIC]

Just wanted to mention that as a follower of the PA Turnpike website for improvements since 1996, I really dislike the recent format change.

[tylert120]

The PA Turnpike exit for PIT Int'l (exit 10) forgot the -h on Pittsburgh 

[ARMOURERERIC]

Looks like the total mainline construction from mp 12-14 and the Beaver River Bridge has a 10/5/22 bid opening.

[rickmastfan67]

The PA Turnpike exit for PIT Int'l (exit 10) forgot the -h on Pittsburgh 

Somebody should get bitch slapped for that mistake. LOL!

[Crown Victoria]

The PA Turnpike exit for PIT Int'l (exit 10) forgot the -h on Pittsburgh 

Somebody should get bitch slapped for that mistake. LOL!

Back during the late 1800s and early 1900s, Pittsburg was the official spelling of the city's name, decided in part due to the fact that the 1816 city charter omitted the -h. This is most famously seen on the Honus Wagner baseball card from 1909.

However, the original, current, and proper spelling is with the -h. That sign should be changed ASAP.

Fun fact...the guy who named Pittsburgh, General John Forbes, was a Scotsman. He most likely pronounced Pittsburgh like he would (and we still) pronounce Edinburgh. So, have we been saying Pittsburgh incorrectly all this time? 

[thenetwork]

The PA Turnpike exit for PIT Int'l (exit 10) forgot the -h on Pittsburgh 

Somebody should get bitch slapped for that mistake. LOL!

Back during the late 1800s and early 1900s, Pittsburg was the official spelling of the city's name, decided in part due to the fact that the 1816 city charter omitted the -h. This is most famously seen on the Honus Wagner baseball card from 1909.

However, the original, current, and proper spelling is with the -h. That sign should be changed ASAP.

Fun fact...the guy who named Pittsburgh, General John Forbes, was a Scotsman. He most likely pronounced Pittsburgh like he would (and we still) pronounce Edinburgh. So, have we been saying Pittsburgh incorrectly all this time? 

Every once in a while, I see Cincinnati spelled with Two "T"s (Cincinnatti). 

[74/171FAN]

I saw this on the 511PA site this morning:

PA Turnpike Planned Detour - The Northeast Extension (Interstate 476) will be closed between the Quakertown Exit 44 and the Lehigh Valley Exit 56, Sat. Sept. 10th at 11:30PM through Sun. Sept. 11th at 6:30AM.

[Crown Victoria]

An audit of the PTC was recently completed by PA's Auditor General which expresses concern over the PTC's debt level, the sustainability of annual toll increases, and the amount of unpaid Toll-By-Plate invoices:

https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/audit-recommends-lawmakers-act-to-ease-pa-turnpikes-financial-squeeze-on-motorists/

https://www.paauditor.gov/Media/Default/Reports/Pennsylvania%20Turnpike%20Commission%20-%20Audit%20Period%20June%201,%202018%20to%20June%2013,%202022.pdf

[roadman65]

Is this going to be (or is it already) a common thing?
https://goo.gl/maps/HBx8BAxXpWxLFuLK8
The Combination PA Turnpike and 276 shield that is.

[74/171FAN]

Is this going to be (or is it already) a common thing?
https://goo.gl/maps/HBx8BAxXpWxLFuLK8
The Combination PA Turnpike and 276 shield that is.

Maybe because I have seen that error from time to time over the years.  I did find this done correctly on PA 132. 

They did fix the PA 476 shields on I-78 from 2016 a while ago.  (I feel embarrassed that I never photographed those signs for whatever reason.)

[ARMOURERERIC]

An audit of the PTC was recently completed by PA's Auditor General which expresses concern over the PTC's debt level, the sustainability of annual toll increases, and the amount of unpaid Toll-By-Plate invoices:

https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/audit-recommends-lawmakers-act-to-ease-pa-turnpikes-financial-squeeze-on-motorists/

https://www.paauditor.gov/Media/Default/Reports/Pennsylvania%20Turnpike%20Commission%20-%20Audit%20Period%20June%201,%202018%20to%20June%2013,%202022.pdf

The right thing to do is add a 50 cent surcharge to every mass transit ticket sold in the state to go to the turnpike commission.  After all, did not most of that annual $450 million in reality go to shore up PAT and SEPTA pension shortfalls?

[Roadsguy]

Is this going to be (or is it already) a common thing?
https://goo.gl/maps/HBx8BAxXpWxLFuLK8
The Combination PA Turnpike and 276 shield that is.

It is a common error that I've been noticing more and more in recent years. The same goes for 76 and 476 elsewhere; never seen any photos of a PA Turnpike 376 shield, so I'm not sure if that mistake has ever been made. It's definitely not a new standard practice by either the PTC or PennDOT; otherwise, it would be universal on new signs, which it definitely isn't.

In a similar vein of one-off mistakes, I noticed one sign put up a few years ago that uses the Turnpike shield alongside the Interstate shield on the mainline (and not just on intersecting roads). I was hoping this would become the PTC's new standard as the NJTA already does on the NJTP, but every new sign inside the (former) ticket system that I've seen still omits the Turnpike shield, so it was probably just a fluke.

The "PA Turnpike [route]" combo shield is standard on the non-mainline state route toll roads that the PTC operates: PA Turnpike 43, 66, and 576, all in the Pittsburgh area.

[sbeaver44]

An audit of the PTC was recently completed by PA's Auditor General which expresses concern over the PTC's debt level, the sustainability of annual toll increases, and the amount of unpaid Toll-By-Plate invoices:

https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/audit-recommends-lawmakers-act-to-ease-pa-turnpikes-financial-squeeze-on-motorists/

https://www.paauditor.gov/Media/Default/Reports/Pennsylvania%20Turnpike%20Commission%20-%20Audit%20Period%20June%201,%202018%20to%20June%2013,%202022.pdf

Bad Debt of $104 million and something like 8.3% of operating revenue.  Wow.  What other industry sees bad debt that high?

I also like that the auditor general is like "you could stop letting employees travel for free on non-Turnpike business"  and, while it probably is a small portion of overall trips, the Turnpike Commission is like "eh, no"

I'm totally not bitter because I pay them $1.70 for 5 miles each way each day, but it beats the hell out of I-83 through Harrisburg and saves me mileage.  I can't imagine paying the $3.90 non EZP rate.

[rickmastfan67]

Is this going to be (or is it already) a common thing?
https://goo.gl/maps/HBx8BAxXpWxLFuLK8
The Combination PA Turnpike and 276 shield that is.

It is a common error that I've been noticing more and more in recent years. The same goes for 76 and 476 elsewhere; never seen any photos of a PA Turnpike 376 shield, so I'm not sure if that mistake has ever been made. It's definitely not a new standard practice by either the PTC or PennDOT; otherwise, it would be universal on new signs, which it definitely isn't.

In a similar vein of one-off mistakes, I noticed one sign put up a few years ago that uses the Turnpike shield alongside the Interstate shield on the mainline (and not just on intersecting roads). I was hoping this would become the PTC's new standard as the NJTA already does on the NJTP, but every new sign inside the (former) ticket system that I've seen still omits the Turnpike shield, so it was probably just a fluke.

The "PA Turnpike [route]" combo shield is standard on the non-mainline state route toll roads that the PTC operates: PA Turnpike 43, 66, and 576, all in the Pittsburgh area.

Don't forget about the 'reverse' error of an Interstate shield with the word 'Turnpike' where the 'state name' is suppose to be.
https://goo.gl/maps/wUmFykWEg1GQJjjPA

[ARMOURERERIC]

Do they mention that they were paying toll collectors $60 million a year.

[74/171FAN]

PennDOT - District 6 News: PA Turnpike to Close Thomas Road for Construction in Tredyffrin Township

[MASTERNC]

Pretty long detour this weekend on the NE Extension

Pennsylvania Turnpike Plans Weekend Closure between Lehigh Valley and Mahoning Valley Interchanges

[ARMOURERERIC]

Bids were received for the Beaver River Bridge reconstruction and widening this past Wednesday.