Sparring over Pennsylvania Turnpike sale continues

Sparring over Pennsylvania Turnpike sale continues    Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association President Jim Runk today praised state House Transportation Committee chairman Joe Markosek, D-Allegheny), for reaffirming his doubts about proposals to lease the venerable Pennsylvania Turnpike in return for a 'quick fix' in funds.
   'We appreciate Joe Markosek's candor and his willingness to stand up for what's best for truckers, commuters and tourists,' Runk said.
   PMTA opposes proposals to lease the turnpike to private entities because of the hidden costs to truckers and motorists as well as long-term questions involving highway maintenance and improvements to meet increasing traffic counts.
   Runk cited an economic analysis prepared for Gov. Ed Rendell by Morgan Stanley that called for turnpike toll increases averaging 5.5 percent a year for the term of the proposed lease.
   'We're talking about the state granting a license to double, triple and quadruple tolls over the life of the lease. It just doesn't make any sense,' Runk said.
   Meanwhile, Rendell tried to rally support for his plan to lease the highway. He promised all projects in the toll road's 10-year capital plan would be protected if the roadway was privatized.