PA Turnpike News

[74/171FAN]

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

PennDOT - District 6 News: PA Turnpike Bridge Construction to Close Newportville Road in Bristol, Bensalem Townships

[lepidopteran]

Changes are coming to the Pennsylvania Turnpike

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 11/13/25.  Breezewood is mentioned briefly.

[The Ghostbuster]

What does the story say? I was blocked by a paywall.

[Plutonic Panda]

What does the story say? I was blocked by a paywall.

This:

Changes are coming to the Pennsylvania Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike has become one of the state's most important toll roads since it opened in 1940, spanning 565 miles that connect Pittsburgh to Harrisburg to Philadelphia. More than half a million people move through its lanes daily.

In the latest installment of the Post-Gazette's "In Conversation With" Q&A series, Richard Dreher, who has served as the turnpike's chief financial officer since 2020, spoke about some of the toll road's ongoing financial struggles, as well as its efforts to modernize with Open Road Tolling and a redesign of the Breezewood Interchange.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Post-Gazette: How much does the turnpike generate annually? Where do toll dollars go?

Tim Grant

In Conversation with: Emory Redd, of Federated Hermes, on why smart investors are embracing diversification

Richard Dreher: We are the second largest toll road in the country based on mileage, and from a revenue perspective for fiscal [year] '26, we estimate close to $2 billion of toll revenues for the year.

The largest source of revenue — call it 93 to 94% — comes from customers, from toll dollars. The remaining 6% or so is generated from various non-toll revenues — things like our service plaza, food and fuel sales.

The turnpike does receive some funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, none of those funds are used for operations or to build the turnpike. Those Commonwealth dollars are used exclusively for the construction of the Mon-Fayette [Expressway] and the Southern Beltway.

PG: How did the pandemic affect your traffic, and have you fully bounced back since then?

Mr. Dreher: Prior to the pandemic in 2020, we had four straight years of record volumes on the turnpike, meaning we were a growing system. The pandemic obviously had an impact in '20 and '21, but we've bounced back. We have close to recovered on the passenger side.

We have 450 million transactions in the most recent fiscal year; commercial volumes account for about 17% of that. We've actually grown our commercial volumes by 12% versus the pandemic, so those volumes are growing. Passenger vehicles were a little below where we peaked in 2019, and that's really driven by demographic changes and an increase in telecommuting.

PG: Can you explain a bit about what [Act 44] is and how it has affected the turnpike over the past couple of decades?

Tim Grant

In Conversation With Paul Brahim: How to exit your business without regret

Mr. Dreher: In 2007, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was facing a transportation funding crisis, much like it is now. That was primarily driven by needs for additional investment on roads and bridges and mass transit — not on the turnpike — but throughout the Commonwealth. So as an alternative to raising the gas tax back in 2007, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania made a policy choice to leverage the turnpike for additional funding for statewide projects.

The idea was the turnpike would toll Interstate 80. That tolling, along with tolling of our own system, would generate sufficient revenues that we could pay PennDOT money for turnpike system improvements.

I-80 was never tolled — the federal government rejected that in 2010 — but we still had to pay Act 44 payments to PennDOT. And so, over the past 15 or so years, the turnpike has paid over $8 billion to PennDOT for transportation projects off of our system across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In order to make those payments, we had to borrow, and that's really what has driven the need to raise tolls.

We've been open for 85 years. We only ever raised tolls five times prior to Act 44, but since then, because of the burden of that $8 billion paid to PennDOT, we've had to ask customers to pay more each and every year. So that's really what's driving the toll increase.

PG: How does the turnpike stack up to its peers in terms of tolls per mile?

Mr. Dreher: We continue to remain competitive. There are 47 other toll roads across the country. Right now based on the rate per mile for E-ZPass customers — and we always encourage customers to choose E-ZPass, you can save up to 50% — the rate per mile for the average passenger vehicle is 17 cents, and the national average is 19 cents. So we're actually cheaper than the national average for passenger vehicles.

On the commercial side, at 67 cents per mile, we're basically on par with the national average of 66 cents per mile. So despite having to raise tolls each year because of Act 44, we continue to remain competitive in rate per mile with our peers.

PG: How does Open Road Tolling work and what's the timeline for that project?

Mr. Dreher: We've been planning for the past 15 years [to convert] our system from from a toll plaza based system — where you have to exit, slow down, stop at a toll plaza or pass through a toll plaza to pay your toll — to what we call an Open Road Tolling system, whereby we will tear down the toll plazas so that customers will have safer access to and from the turnpike.

There will be no more physical structures to pass through, to be more in line with what customers see on an interstate. We'll be able to redesign our interchanges to have a more efficient flow of traffic — again, similar to what you see on an interstate — but the Open Road Tolling is really converting where we toll from a toll plaza to specific gantries across the entire roadway.

In the old system, you got on, you took a ticket, and wherever you exited, your toll was based on that trip. In an Open Road Tolling system, each time you pass a segment, a toll is implemented.

We made the point of making sure that the open road tolling system didn't generate additional revenue. We wanted it to be revenue-neutral for the customer. It's just a more efficient and safer way of tolling for our customers.

[Note: The turnpike expects to complete the main stretch of Open Road Tolling in 2027.]

PG: What are some of the big recent projects the turnpike has been working on?

Mr. Dreher: In Southwestern Pennsylvania, we continue to build the Mon-Fayette [Expressway] and Southern Beltway. In 2022, we opened a 13-mile segment of the Southern Beltway. We're getting ready in the next year or two to open the next leg of the Mon-Fayette Expressway. That's the roadway, I think it's 43 miles so far, connecting West Virginia into the Mon Valley. Those are significant investments.

We also have a major bridge crossing project up in the Beaver Valley, the Beaver River Bridge, and then we continue to renovate tunnels across the system. We just completed renovation of the Tuscarora [Mountain] Tunnel, and we'll begin renovations on the Blue Mountain and Kittatinny tunnels [both in Franklin County].

[We are continuing] what we call total reconstruction projects, where we're rebuilding the roadway in two- to four-mile segments across the system. When we do that, we add a third lane, so we're increasing lane miles as well.

PG: I wanted to ask about the Breezewood Interchange redesign. I saw earlier this year, you hired a firm to redesign that area. What would be the potential impact on Breezewood, and what are the intended goals of that project?

Mr. Dreher: Breezewood and down in the Philadelphia area, those are remnants of the old federal system, where toll roads could not have direct connections to interstates. The Breezewood project is to provide a direct connection between [Interstates] 76 and 70 eliminating that mile or so connection with local roadways.

We fully expect that project to assist with a more free flow of traffic between those roadways.

First Published: November 13, 2025, 1:00 a.m.
Updated: November 13, 2025, 5:00 a.m.

[The Ghostbuster]

Thanks! Those paywalls are a bitch!

[MASTERNC]

Looks like the twin tunnel project might take 8 (!!) years to complete based on the capital plan.  Guess it's reasonable given the Tuscarora Tunnels took 4 years, and you're dealing with two more tunnels here.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Inquiry:  Have all the overhead bridges between Irwin and Allegheny Valley been replaced?

[davewiecking]

It appears fewer than half in this stretch are wide enough to allow 3 lanes of traffic each way.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.paturnpike.com/traveling/construction/site/delaware-river-bridge/news-public-involvement

The PTC (in collaboration with the NJTPA) are replacing the Delaware River bridge with two new bridges that will carry six lanes (three lanes in each direction) with full-width shoulders.

The North Partial Impact (NPI) and the North Staged Alternate (NSA) alternatives were recommended for advancement and further study.

[Dough4872]

https://www.paturnpike.com/traveling/construction/site/delaware-river-bridge/news-public-involvement

The PTC (in collaboration with the NJTPA) are replacing the Delaware River bridge with two new bridges that will carry six lanes (three lanes in each direction) with full-width shoulders.

The North Partial Impact (NPI) and the North Staged Alternate (NSA) alternatives were recommended for advancement and further study.

What style of bridge is this gonna be? Is it gonna be a truss bridge, suspension bridge, cable-stayed bridge, or a steel girder bridge?

[ElishaGOtis]

https://www.paturnpike.com/traveling/construction/site/delaware-river-bridge/news-public-involvement

The PTC (in collaboration with the NJTPA) are replacing the Delaware River bridge with two new bridges that will carry six lanes (three lanes in each direction) with full-width shoulders.

The North Partial Impact (NPI) and the North Staged Alternate (NSA) alternatives were recommended for advancement and further study.

What style of bridge is this gonna be? Is it gonna be a truss bridge, suspension bridge, cable-stayed bridge, or a steel girder bridge?

Probably one of the latter 2 if I had to guess...

[VTGoose]

Story about the new Turnpike bridges and other work in Beaver County:

https://triblive.com/local/regional/290m-turnpike-bridge-project-in-beaver-county-proceeds-15-feet-at-a-time/

[74/171FAN]

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

[ARMOURERERIC]

The bid for Mmainline MP 320-324 has been awarded........$$338.3M. Geez.

[Plutonic Panda]

The first of the federally funded EV stations opened:

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/news-and-media/newsroom/statewide/2025/shapiro-admin-opens-first-federally-funded-ev-charging-station-o

[MASTERNC]

Finally time someone points out the inferior service plaza offerings versus other Applegreen plazas. The final straw for me was yesterday when I got sick from eating at the Sideling Hill Burger King after waiting 30 minutes with 20 other customers for food (with only one employee working the kitchen).

https://share.inquirer.com/XlhurR

Also, looks like interchange names are being phased out on more guide signs. The WB signs for PA 72 no longer have the interchange name on them (the EB signs haven't been changed) and the subsequent mileage sign now uses route shields instead of interchange names

[jpi]

Finally time someone points out the inferior service plaza offerings versus other Applegreen plazas. The final straw for me was yesterday when I got sick from eating at the Sideling Hill Burger King after waiting 30 minutes with 20 other customers for food (with only one employee working the kitchen).

https://share.inquirer.com/XlhurR

Also, looks like interchange names are being phased out on more guide signs. The WB signs for PA 72 no longer have the interchange name on them (the EB signs haven't been changed) and the subsequent mileage sign now uses route shields instead of interchange names

I was not able to get a pic of it but noticed the east bound turnpike signage for the Lebanon- Lancaster exit (PA 72) showed "Lebanon" and "Manheim" (???) I'm thinking because most travelers would take 283 from the east shore exit to Lancaster so they decided to add the biggest borough between the turnpike and Lancaster for a control city

[Beltway]

The first of the federally funded EV stations opened:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/news-and-media/newsroom/statewide/2025/shapiro-admin-opens-first-federally-funded-ev-charging-station-o

Why would the feds have anything to do with that?

Do they fund gasoline/diesel stations?

[jeffandnicole]

The first of the federally funded EV stations opened:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/news-and-media/newsroom/statewide/2025/shapiro-admin-opens-first-federally-funded-ev-charging-station-o

Why would the feds have anything to do with that?

Do they fund gasoline/diesel stations?

You may want to catch up...

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.

[Beltway]

The first of the federally funded EV stations opened:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/news-and-media/newsroom/statewide/2025/shapiro-admin-opens-first-federally-funded-ev-charging-station-o

Why would the feds have anything to do with that?
Do they fund gasoline/diesel stations?

You may want to catch up...
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.

The federal role in EV charging isn't as obvious as some make it sound. Washington never built or funded gasoline or diesel stations, and the private sector handled that infrastructure just fine. The NEVI program changes that model by having FHWA subsidize up to 80% of EV‑charger installation costs.

Critics argue this creates a dependency on federal money, distorts the market, and risks uneven deployment if political priorities shift. If EVs are truly the future, private companies should be able to build and maintain charging networks without federal intervention and largesse -- just like every other fueling system in U.S. history.

[vdeane]

Finally time someone points out the inferior service plaza offerings versus other Applegreen plazas. The final straw for me was yesterday when I got sick from eating at the Sideling Hill Burger King after waiting 30 minutes with 20 other customers for food (with only one employee working the kitchen).

https://share.inquirer.com/XlhurR

Also, looks like interchange names are being phased out on more guide signs. The WB signs for PA 72 no longer have the interchange name on them (the EB signs haven't been changed) and the subsequent mileage sign now uses route shields instead of interchange names

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person who prefers the old options.  When I'm stopping on the road, I'm looking for a quick in and out, not an "upscale" experience that will take 3x as long (on a good day).  I don't think I'll ever again attempt to eat at a service area Panera after the debacle of my last attempt over a year ago (the only time I ever had to reverse credit card charges after they failed to refund my money after cancelling my order since I was unwilling to wait an hour for my food).  And what's the point of ordering ahead at a service plaza?  It's hard to predict arrival times when traveling long distance, and one shouldn't be attempting to order food via an app while driving.

Also, and maybe this is a Thruway issue, but can anyone explain how Burger King is supposed to be more upscale than McDonald's?  We were a McDonald's family growing up, so I'm largely unfamiliar with Burger King, although they're not spared from the negative reviews of Applegreen service areas, which doesn't fill me with confidence.

[Bitmapped]

Finally time someone points out the inferior service plaza offerings versus other Applegreen plazas. The final straw for me was yesterday when I got sick from eating at the Sideling Hill Burger King after waiting 30 minutes with 20 other customers for food (with only one employee working the kitchen).

https://share.inquirer.com/XlhurR

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person who prefers the old options.  When I'm stopping on the road, I'm looking for a quick in and out, not an "upscale" experience that will take 3x as long (on a good day).  I don't think I'll ever again attempt to eat at a service area Panera after the debacle of my last attempt over a year ago (the only time I ever had to reverse credit card charges after they failed to refund my money after cancelling my order since I was unwilling to wait an hour for my food).  And what's the point of ordering ahead at a service plaza?  It's hard to predict arrival times when traveling long distance, and one shouldn't be attempting to order food via an app while driving.

Other than perhaps Roy Rogers, the service plaza food options on the PA Turnpike generally seem to reflect Pennsylvania at large. Of the chains mentioned in the article, there aren't any Pret a Mangers at all in PA west of Philadelphia and there are just a handful of Shake Shacks, all pretty new. Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, so I wouldn't want to see them taking up a spot.

I would like to see the restaurants offer ordering via app, or at least at kiosks, because I have occasionally seen a line waiting for the cashier.

[jeffandnicole]

Finally time someone points out the inferior service plaza offerings versus other Applegreen plazas. The final straw for me was yesterday when I got sick from eating at the Sideling Hill Burger King after waiting 30 minutes with 20 other customers for food (with only one employee working the kitchen).

https://share.inquirer.com/XlhurR

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person who prefers the old options.  When I'm stopping on the road, I'm looking for a quick in and out, not an "upscale" experience that will take 3x as long (on a good day).  I don't think I'll ever again attempt to eat at a service area Panera after the debacle of my last attempt over a year ago (the only time I ever had to reverse credit card charges after they failed to refund my money after cancelling my order since I was unwilling to wait an hour for my food).  And what's the point of ordering ahead at a service plaza?  It's hard to predict arrival times when traveling long distance, and one shouldn't be attempting to order food via an app while driving.

...Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, so I wouldn't want to see them taking up a spot.

I was annoyed at the article's author consistently wanting Chick-fil-A, when it has an obvious issue with their days of operation.

I don't think the author got the story correct anyway.  The contract with Applegreen is for 30 years, but that doesn't mean the restaurants themselves have 30 year contracts.  If Applegreen wanted to phase the restaurants out for other options, they're welcome to do so based on the individual contracts of the restaurants. 

[Dough4872]

Finally time someone points out the inferior service plaza offerings versus other Applegreen plazas. The final straw for me was yesterday when I got sick from eating at the Sideling Hill Burger King after waiting 30 minutes with 20 other customers for food (with only one employee working the kitchen).

https://share.inquirer.com/XlhurR

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person who prefers the old options.  When I'm stopping on the road, I'm looking for a quick in and out, not an "upscale" experience that will take 3x as long (on a good day).  I don't think I'll ever again attempt to eat at a service area Panera after the debacle of my last attempt over a year ago (the only time I ever had to reverse credit card charges after they failed to refund my money after cancelling my order since I was unwilling to wait an hour for my food).  And what's the point of ordering ahead at a service plaza?  It's hard to predict arrival times when traveling long distance, and one shouldn't be attempting to order food via an app while driving.

Other than perhaps Roy Rogers, the service plaza food options on the PA Turnpike generally seem to reflect Pennsylvania at large. Of the chains mentioned in the article, there aren't any Pret a Mangers at all in PA west of Philadelphia and there are just a handful of Shake Shacks, all pretty new. Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, so I wouldn't want to see them taking up a spot.

I would like to see the restaurants offer ordering via app, or at least at kiosks, because I have occasionally seen a line waiting for the cashier.

I don't think there's much wrong with the current food options on the turnpike. Got some  classic fast food chains like Burger King, got Popeyes (which has a better chicken sandwich than Chick-Fil-A and is also open 7 days a week which is important since a lot of people travel on Sunday), also have Auntie Anne's which is a good snack option, got Dunkin and Starbucks for coffee, and Roy Rogers is popular for those who want nostalgia.

[MASTERNC]

Finally time someone points out the inferior service plaza offerings versus other Applegreen plazas. The final straw for me was yesterday when I got sick from eating at the Sideling Hill Burger King after waiting 30 minutes with 20 other customers for food (with only one employee working the kitchen).

https://share.inquirer.com/XlhurR

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person who prefers the old options.  When I'm stopping on the road, I'm looking for a quick in and out, not an "upscale" experience that will take 3x as long (on a good day).  I don't think I'll ever again attempt to eat at a service area Panera after the debacle of my last attempt over a year ago (the only time I ever had to reverse credit card charges after they failed to refund my money after cancelling my order since I was unwilling to wait an hour for my food).  And what's the point of ordering ahead at a service plaza?  It's hard to predict arrival times when traveling long distance, and one shouldn't be attempting to order food via an app while driving.

...Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, so I wouldn't want to see them taking up a spot.

I was annoyed at the article's author consistently wanting Chick-fil-A, when it has an obvious issue with their days of operation.

I don't think the author got the story correct anyway.  The contract with Applegreen is for 30 years, but that doesn't mean the restaurants themselves have 30 year contracts.  If Applegreen wanted to phase the restaurants out for other options, they're welcome to do so based on the individual contracts of the restaurants. 

Correct - they swapped out some Starbucks for Dunkin not that long ago