We have identified various alternative funding strategies that — with the necessary legislation and approvals — could help maintain a state of good repair on our highways and bridges.

Note: The Pennsylvania Public-Private Partnership (P3) law, as amended by Act 84 of 2022, permits optional tolling via Pennsylvania Public-Private Partnership (P3) contracts. Additional state legislation would be required to implement any other tolling options.

Bridge Tolling

There are several ways to fund costly infrastructure projects. Tolling, including bridge tolling, has been a proven way of doing so for a number of years across the country and the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Public-Private Partnership (P3) law, as amended by Act 84 of 2022, permits optional tolling via P3 contracts.

Learn More About Bridge Tolling

Mileage-Based User Fees / Road-User Fees

These charges are a little different from tolls in that they may be tied to GPS technologies to calculate the number of miles you drive, not where you drive, or a flat fee as with Road-User Fees. Essentially, drivers would be charged a small fee for each mile they drive during the year.

Learn More About These User Fees

Managed Lanes

Managed lanes are additional lanes on a highway where the traffic is managed for faster travel. With managed lanes, traffic can be regulated by charging a toll, or by encouraging carpooling. It offers a choice to drivers — to pay a fee, carpool, or use the regular lanes.

Learn More About Managed Lanes

Congestion Pricing

Congestion pricing is another form of tolling where toll rates vary based on the congestion on the roadway — encouraging users to carpool or use alternative routes when traffic gets too heavy — creating a reliable speed and trip.

Learn More About Congestion Pricing

Corridor Tolling

Corridor tolling is similar to what we currently have on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Corridor tolling means tolling interstates and expressways based on the distance traveled along that road.

Learn More About Corridor Tolling

Fees and Taxes

This may include vehicle-related or package delivery fees, and/or various taxes, with the exception of the gas tax.

Learn More About Fees and Taxes

Some of these potential funding strategies might work better in certain scenarios and locations than others. It's important to note that as we studied funding options, we considered how different strategies could work together as both near- and long-term solutions.

PennDOT Pathways — Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study

Now that we have identified some of the potential funding options, how do we figure out what works best for Pennsylvania?

The PennDOT Pathways Program began with a Planning and Environmental Linkages, or PEL, Study. The PEL study evaluated potential funding options and analyzed which options were likely to work best for various situations, as well as which options would provide the best near- and long-term solutions.

Read the Full PEL Study Report

There are several steps to the study:

Establish the purpose of the study
Identify potential near- and long-term solutions
Evaluate and advance appropriate funding solutions
Recommend funding solutions and identify how and when they would be implemented
Design a framework for implementing the recommended funding solutions

What questions do we ask when analyzing a potential funding solution?

What are the benefits of this funding solution?
Are there any negative impacts of this funding solution?
What are the effects of this funding solution on low-income and minority populations?
Does the funding solution consider our infrastructure requirements?

When assessing long-term solutions, we also ask:

What approvals or authorizations will the funding solution require?
How long will it take to put the funding solution into practice?

What We Heard From Pennsylvanians

In November 2020, PennDOT Pathways was launched and input was sought on the alternative funding options evaluated in the PEL. Nearly 6,000 people attended the online engagement opportunity; 375 comments were received. The top five comment topics heard from Pennsylvanians and stakeholders included:

Suggestions to Raise Additional Funds

Opposition to Tax Increases

Suggestions for Budget Cuts/Layoffs

Opposition to Tolls

Support for Tolls

Suggestions to Raise Additional Funds

Opposition to Tax Increases

Suggestions for Budget Cuts/Layoffs

Opposition to Tolls

Support for Tolls

Since that time, we've conducted public outreach and involvement activities from community workshops on traffic concerns in each of the nine bridge project areas, to Telephone Town Halls, presentations and electronic and printed communications throughout the state. Here are just a few of those efforts and the engagement as a result.

All metrics November 2020 - June 2021, unless otherwise noted.

by the Secretary, Executive and Program Staff (as of 6/2021)

to Legislators, Stakeholders, the Media and the Public

*Social Media User Engagements is defined as likes, reactions, comments, shares, retweets, and link clicks.