Exec Highway Group To Hear Rt. 422 Tolling As ‘Model’

HARRISBURG PA – The 25-mile stretch of limited-access, four-lane U.S. Route 422 between King of Prussia and Reading PA will be promoted June 6 (2011; Monday) as a potential model for tolling highways across the state in answer to Pennsylvania’s need for increased transportation funding, The Pennsylvania Independent online news service reported Friday (May 27).

The 30-member executive commission, appointed by Gov. Tom Corbett, will see a presentation demonstrating how tolls would work on Route 422 in Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties, The Independent said. The commission is “looking for a way to generate more than $2.5 billion in annual transportation funding in the post-stimulus environment of declining federal spending on infrastructure,” it added.

The commission’s meeting intends to “focus on ways to make transportation spending more efficient and effective, including cost-saving proposals with revenue-raising options,” The Independent quoted state Secretary of Transportation Barry Schoch as saying. “I think it is appropriate for any commission that is examining financing to look at how we are spending the current dollars,” Schoch said.

The article did not report who would make the presentation, but proposals to impose tolls on 422 automotive traffic have been advocated for almost two years by the Philadelphia-based Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and affiliated agencies.

A Route 422 Master Plan created by DVRPC identifies the need to relieve the highway’s congestion, and the agency has consistently said tolls may be the best way to raise funds to solve the problem. It also continues to study tolls as a prime revenue-generating option. The master plan itself has been endorsed by Limerick (PA) Township supervisors, rejected by the Pottstown Borough Council, and received no comment from Lower Pottsgrove commissioners.

• Read a story by reporter Eric Boehm, titled “Tolling, possible savings on Transportation Funding Commission agenda” and published Friday by The Independent, here.

Related (to U.S. Route 422 Corridor planning):

• Exec Highway Group To Hear Rt. 422 Tolling As ‘Model’
• 422 Questions Answered, For Your Viewing Pleasure
• In 422 Tolling, Planners Say, Studying Doesn’t Make It So
• Former Reporter Asks Commissioners To Support 422 Tolls
• Online Survey Seeks Opinions On Local Road Congestion
• 422 Plus Project Plays Offense With FAQs Debut
• Peering Into The Future? Gov’s Bridge Proposal And 422
• Another Township Endorses 422 Master Plan
• Neighboring Limerick Supervisors Endorse 422 Master Plan
• Understand 422 Plan Endorsement, Lower Pottsgrove Advised
• Lower Pottsgrove Holds On 422 Plan Endorsement
• Engineers Claim PA Roads Worse Now Than In 2006
• Tuesday Session Tackles Funding For 422 And Elsewhere
• Tolls, Lower Pottsgrove Station Part Of 422 Plan
• Pending Decision May Affect Route 422 Projects
• Last Day For Your Say On Route 422 Plan
• Notebook Worthy (Aug. 24, 2009)
• Consultants Express Interest In Studying 422
• Don’t Like 422 Tolling? Website Wants Your Alternative
• Truckers Alerted On Highway Partnerships Bill
• In 422 Debate, Time A Hindrance And Help
• Notebook Worthy (June 29, 2009)
• Growth, Planners Say, Is 422’s Growing Problem
• Tech Used To Draw For 422 Meetings
• Route 422 Toll Meetings Next Week
• 422 Repairs, Delays Start Tuesday
• 422 Proposal, Like Traffic, Creeps Ahead
• Got A Route 422 Idea? Time To Air It
• Train Service On The Front Burner Once More

Graphic from The Pennsylvania Independent