Plans to toll nine bridges around the state including Interstate 80 over the Lehigh River took a step forward this month. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced a team of companies which will oversee the tolling and replacement of the bridges.

PennDOT called the selection of the multinational team a critical milestone in its Major Bridge Public-Private Partnership. But local legislators, who like many drivers are opposed to the plan, the selection of a foreign company to lead the project is another source of frustration.

“It is increasingly clear that the Wolf Administration plans to pursue new bridge tolls on top of high gas prices at the pump at any cost,” state Sen. John Yudichak, I-14th, said. “What is especially troubling is the administration failed to use normal procurement procedures that would have given Pennsylvania-based companies the opportunity to compete for this state work and the public more opportunities to raise concerns about the tolling plan.”

The group of companies selected to oversee the project is led by a firm headquartered in Australia. However, six of the companies are based in Pennsylvania and Penn­DOT says 65 percent of the work is required to be completed by Pennsylvania-based contractors.

The major-bridge initiative calls for tolls on bridges at nine sites around the commonwealth to help fund their replacement. The proposed tolls would be $1-$2 per vehicle.

PennDOT says only eastbound traffic on the I-80 bridge over the Lehigh would have to pay a toll. Westbound vehicles would pay a toll at the I-80 bridge over Nescopeck Creek in Luzerne County.

PennDOT says the tolls are needed because its current funding only covers $6.9 billion of the necessary $15 billion needed annually to fund road and bridge projects across the state. They say tolling individual bridges and using the revenue to replace them frees up funds for other maintenance projects.

Legislators like state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-122nd, have said PennDOT has misinterpreted the public-private partnership law, passed in 2012, to take advantage of tolls that were only meant to fund new roadways.

“It’s a concern, especially the impact it will have on motorists, businesses along the corridor, driving up the cost of everything from agriculture products to manufacturers,” Heffley said.

Heffley said when the measure was passed, the bridges were not listed.

He said there are other ways to raise money, through the bond market and by taxing games.

State Sen. David Argall, R-29th, whose district includes a different bridge proposed for tolling, said many in his district are opposed to the plan.

“Plans like this should be considered by the legislature, not by unelected bureaucrats. That’s why I voted in favor of Senate Bill 382. Especially in this time of spiking gas prices and inflation, this is another bad Tom Wolf idea.”

Legislators have voted to take steps to stop the tolls. A bill that would rein in PennDOT’s ability to levy new tolls passed both houses with Republicans in support and most Democrats voting against. But it hasn’t been sent to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk, where it would face a likely veto.

There are also attempts underway in the courts to stop the tolls. Three Western Pennsylvania towns which would be affected by the tolls have filed a lawsuit in an attempt to stop the plan.

During a public comment period held in November and December 2021, PennDOT identified opposition to tolls as residents’ number one concern. Comments also noted the state’s existing high fuel taxes and the money received from the Infrastructure Law.

Residents who submitted public comments also expressed concern about vehicles exiting the interstate to avoid the toll. Penn­DOT predicts 9 percent of existing traffic - an estimated 70 cars in the morning rush and 80 in the evening - will divert to avoid the bridge. They plan to use some of the toll money to upgrade Route 940 and 534 in White Haven, which they say would be the logical route for traffic.

PennDOT says on average, more than half of the vehicles that cross the bridge - 61 percent - are coming from more than 25 miles away.

The I-80 bridges over the Lehigh were built in 1965. They are currently rated in fair condition. 27,000 vehicles use the bridge per day, of which PennDOT says 44 percent are trucks.

The new bridges would be wider to accommodate wider shoulders. The eastbound bridge would have an additional acceleration lane for traffic from the on-ramp from Route 940.

PennDOT says its next step is receiving environmental approvals from the Federal Highway Administration.