The proposal to convert 300-mile-long Interstate 80 to a toll road is not a new idea. The idea has been talked about since 1983, when a Governor's Toll Roads Task Force made the idea a topic of debate.

However, the current revival of the issue has the makings of a more serious thrust, with officials of both the state Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission weighing the possibility, although not yet ready to present a formal recommendation.

At the foundation of the issue is the correct belief that I-80 users should pay a direct share in the general maintenance and modernization of this important, heavily traveled cross-state route, a small piece of which is in Butler County. On the modernization front, the highway is in need of expansion to six lanes from the current four in the highway's eastern sector, where I-80 meets Interstate 81 and the Northeast Extension of the turnpike. Parts of the highway in Western and Central Pennsylvania also need upgrades.

The toll-road plan could expedite the start-up and completion of that work and provide the resources for ongoing upkeep.

Tolls would have an impact on trucking industry shipping fees. However, a better, safer highway is in the best interests of trucking companies, as well as the general motoring public.

Tolling of I-80 would benefit the turnpike, which consistently loses some of its truck traffic to I-80's free ride. With the two major cross-state routes both having tolls, truck traffic likely would become more evenly distributed on the two highways.

During 1983's Toll Roads Task Force discussion, it was determined that Pennsylvania, if it opted to make I-80 a toll highway, would have to repay the federal government the interstate's initial construction cost. However, that apparently would no longer be necessary. The 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century positioned I-80 for exemption from that reimbursement requirement under a pilot-program provision. It is PennDOT's interpretation that, although that transportation package expired Sept. 30, 2003, the I-80 reimbursement exemption remains applicable.

If the move to an I-80 toll road is the decision of choice, the decision should be forthcoming quickly, to avert any notion for a roadblock to the no-reimbursement opportunity.

Rich Kirkpatrick, PennDOT press secretary, told the Butler Eagle Tuesday that, despite the provision in the Transportation Equity Act, Pennsylvania would have to make formal application to the Federal Highway Administration for I-80 to be one of the pilot projects. The 1998 transportation funding package had provision for similar pilot projects in two other states.

A decision might be forthcoming on the I-80 proposal in about two months. Between now and then, those studying the issue will be faced with conflicting considerations, from which they will have to exact the course of action most in Pennsylvania's best interests. In addition to whether to toll the highway, the cost to erect toll booths must be determined, as well as their number and location, and how to initially fund the big up-front cost to effect the conversion to a toll highway.

The alternate possibility of higher gasoline taxes from all motorists to in part fund I-80 repairs and modernization, in lieu of tolls, must be injected into the equation, as well as the long-range impact that opting for the do-nothing option at this time would bring.

For Pennsylvania, the decision about these 300 miles of roadway on which commerce so greatly depends is of major importance. At this early juncture, the benefits to be derived from the toll-road option makes that option seem a good bet for I-80's long-term, positive future.

- J.R.K.