A local lawmaker is happy with a recent court decision to reject a plan by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that would have implemented a toll on a number bridges across the state.
According to Republican Senator Scott Hutchinson, the proposal to toll nine bridges has been permanently halted under a final order by the state Commonwealth Court.
Over a year ago, PennDOT had proposed a $1 to $2 toll without legislative approval on bridges including two in Western PA: the Canoe Creek Bridge in Clarion County and Bridgeville Interchange on I-79. The court ruling stated PennDOT violated the Public-Private Partnerships law when it did not name the specific bridges when it voted to toll.
PennDOT could appeal this ruling to the State Supreme Court but Senator Hutchinson believes that would just cost more taxpayer money. Hutchinson also said that maintaining transportation infrastructure is vital so steps must be taken to ensure funding.