Funding Transit With Proceeds From Road Privatization

A proposed long-term lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike could provide close to $1.7 billion a year -- funding the state's transit and road needs without the need for additional taxes.

1 minute read

May 24, 2007, 5:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"A long-term lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike could generate enough revenue on its own to meet public-transit and roads and bridges funding needs identified by the state, according to a report released on Monday.

A lease, which was pitched in Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed state budget and has won little favor with legislators, could raise an estimated $1.7 billion annually. It could also eliminate the need to fund transportation through other sources, including a new tax on oil companies proposed as part of the governor's budget plan.

In an analysis of three transportation funding options conducted by Morgan Stanley & Co., the lease came out on top, the governor said."

"With a June 30 budget deadline looming for the state general budget, the Port Authority, SEPTA and many state transit agencies, legislators are still at work on finding a solution to the state's transportation funding needs."

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 in Philadelphia Business Journal

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

Nilu Jenks wears a long gray coat and speaks with one man and two women outside.

Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember

Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.

November 8 - Reason

People sit on wooden benches on a bus in Miami

New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks

Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.

November 8 - Miami New Times

Two men install solar panels on the roof of a house.

Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms

The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.

November 8 - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.