Christine Baker, The Patriot-News/2008There's a new twist to daylight savings time. If you drive the Pennsylvania turnpike during the daylight today you will save money. Starting at 12:01A.M. tonight your savings stop as you start paying more to travel the Pennsylvania roadway. The following information is from an article that appeared in the Herald Standard.
According to the Turnpike Commission, the 25 percent fare increase is required to enable the Turnpike Commission to meet financial obligations under Act 44, signed into law in July 2007. With Act 44, the turnpike is providing $2.5 billion in supplemental transportation funding from August 2007 to May 2010.
New toll revenue from the increase will mostly be used by the state Department of Transportation for off-turnpike investment.
"Our customers need to know that tollbooth income is being reinvested in the commonwealth's transportation systems and economy. For the first time, tolls aren't only going back into state toll roads, but helping fund infrastructure improvements in every Pennsylvania county," said Joe Brimmeier, Turnpike Commission chief executive officer. "In fact, more than 90 percent of the toll-increase proceeds will benefit non-turnpike road and bridge projects and transit operations."
As a result of the toll increase - the sixth rate change in more than 68 years - projected annual gross toll revenue will increase from $619.2 million at the end of 2008 to about $738.4 million at the end of 2010. The last toll increase occurred in August 2004.
The turnpike is taking a new approach future toll increases. Starting in January 2010, tolls will go up incrementally about 3 percent each year.
Operators of Class 8 trucks traveling the full length of the Pennsylvania Turnpike will pay an extra $35 in tolls starting on Sunday, Jan. 4.
Complete toll information can be found here. It won't save you toll money but consider the EZ-PASS option to pay for your tolls. It will save you time and gas money, especially with the Express lanes.
You might want to use mapquest.com or a similar website to find alternate routes which will help you save money on tolls.
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