Exhibit F: Comments from the MPO/RPO Meetings.

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1 Exhibit F: Comments from the MPO/RPO Meetings.

2 Exhibit F: Comments from the MPO/RPO Meetings A summary of the specific feedback provided during the outreach effort with metropolitan and rural planning organizations and General Assembly officials is listed below. The summary is organized by planning region, with * used to indicate feedback from I-80 Advisory Committee members. Please note that where questions are asked, the Project Team s response is shown in italics. 1. Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (MPO) July 15, 2008 Traffic: - Long distance diversions are a concern through Armstrong, Indiana, and Butler Counties, particularly on State Routes 0322, 0422, 0028 and There is a particular concern with trucks heading east of Pittsburgh to access State Route 0022 in Monroeville. State Route 0422 is also a concern across the northern counties in the region. These routes have steep grades and could cause traffic delays. - The anticipated diversions associated with the potential toll facility locations presented seemed likely. - In Zone A, safety on State Route 0208, south of I-80, is a concern due to the presence of an Amish community. Economic: - The state should consider incentives for impacted local business owners. Freight: - A concern was raised regarding truck diversions that could impact truck parking along state routes for layovers.

3 2. SEDA-Council of Governments (RPO) July 16, 2008 Traffic: - Toll Location F1 Diversion routes were agreeable. - Toll Location F2 - Diversion traffic between Bellefonte and Lewisburg is more likely to use State Route 0045 instead of State Route Toll Location G1 and G2 No comments - Toll Locations H1 and H2 No comments - Toll Location H3 There is a steep hill through Berwick that is not conducive to truck travel. ITS: - Will the ITS be centralized to Turnpike or PennDOT operational centers? At this time the PTC and PennDOT are working on plans for ITS. Based on the Capital Plan, approximately $4 million per year is dedicated to ITS. Maintenance: - How many new maintenance facilities will there be? The number of maintenance facilities has not yet been determined. However the Turnpike Commission and PennDOT have initiated discussions regarding the transition of maintenance responsibilities of I-80. The two agencies will evaluate cost and determine the most cost-effective path for the future. It is intended that the PTC will have full maintenance responsibilities within 3 years from the start of the toll implementation. Economic: - Concerned about the economic impact to the trucking industry and local businesses along the corridor.

4 3. Shenango Valley (MPO) July 18, 2008 Capital Plan: - Are the fracture-critical bridges also structurally deficient? Does a fracture critical bridge need to be replaced now if it is not structurally deficient? Some of the bridges are both structurally deficient and fracture-critical. The costs of these bridges are very expensive. Non-redundant, fracture critical bridge designs are no longer used. The Commission plans to replace each fracture critical bridge with a redundant design before the end of its remaining design life. - A truck climbing lane is needed in the mountains in the Clearfield/DuBois area. Traffic: - Toll Location A1 There may be more diversion to the north than south. Also, there are trucking companies on State Route 0062 (1 carrier) and State Route 0318 (3 carriers). They will divert around this option to the north if this tolling location is chosen. * - Toll Location A2 The majority of trucks would use State Route 0062 because it is wider than State Route In addition, the grades on State Route 0062 are not as steep, and it has climbing lanes where the posted grade exists. Local traffic may use Lamore Road instead of State Route 0062 if the number of trucks on State Route 0062 increases. - After considering both tolling location options on Zone A, Toll Location A1 may be the better choice. - Toll Location B1 Emlenton Hill is not a good diversion route because of the grade. - Toll Location B2 No comments were offered. - State Route 0062 is a safety concern due to the highway s condition.* - The State Route 0062 to State Route 0018 diversion is a concern because the goal is to get traffic out of downtown Sharon. Is there a plan to widen SR 0062?* The additional traffic that is placed on the local road due to the traffic diversion caused by avoiding the toll will need to be analyzed. The impact of this additional traffic will be assessed based on several different factors and if it is determined that improvements are warranted, the Commission will pay for those improvements. At this time, this analysis is underway. - Amish community on Wilmington Road is a safety concern.*

5 4. Williamsport MPO July 21, 2008 Traffic: - Longer distance diversions between Toll Locations G, H, and I. o Concerned with truck traffic on State Route 0118 through Hughesville. This would be for traffic between Scranton/Wilkes Barre and Williamsport diverting from I-80 to State Route Some trucks take this route now. o Concerned with traffic diverting from I-80 to State Route 0220 from Jersey Shore to Williamsport. - No comments on specific local diversions for Toll Locations G, H, or I. Economic: - Dr. Matteo of the Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey of businesses in the area that should be reviewed. - Specific concerns regarding economic impacts to local businesses were raised. - Requests were made to discuss economic study efforts with MPO staff and Chamber of Commerce.

6 5. Centre County MPO July 23, 2008 Capital Plan: - If this project moves forward, a process will need to be established for ongoing coordination about local priorities through the MPOs and RPOs. - Will the weak link bridge at MP 159 on I-80 be replaced with the I-99 interchange? Yes, that will be included as part of that project. The I-99 interchange is currently on the Capital Plan within the first three years. - Will the pavement preservation project from MP 159 to 164 on I-80 be completed with the I-99 Interchange? The project limits will be coordinated with the I-99 Interchange construction limits and will be adjusted if necessary. Traffic: - Toll Location E2 Diversion through Snow Shoe on State Route 0053 and State Route 0144 is a concern. - Toll Location F1 Diversion of westbound traffic to State College taking State Route 0064 (instead of I-80) to Bellefonte is a concern. - Long distance diversion impacts on State Route 0322 are a concern. - Toll Locations G1 and G2 No comments. - Concerned about state and local governments having to pay for the improvements to the diversion routes.* Economic: - Tax breaks for businesses should be considered.* - If I-80 tolls are implemented, fees such as PA registration or drivers license on PA residents should be reduced.* Tolls: - Is there any plan to offer a toll incentive program similar to the one proposed for I-80 on the existing Turnpike mainline? It was noted that the existing Turnpike is a closed system and there are no current plans to duplicate the I-80 tolling business rules on the existing Turnpike system.*

7 6. North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning & Development Commission (RPO) July 24, 2008 Capital Plan: - The North Fork Bridge Replacements along I-80 (MP and MP in Jefferson County near Brookville) should be completed early in the program due to their deteriorated condition. * Does the capital plan include a realignment of the roadway at this location or will it just stay on existing alignment? This question will be addressed during the design process for this project. Traffic: - Toll Location C - Biggest diversion will be State Route 0322 straight through downtown Clearfield. - Toll Location C3 - The DuBois to Clearfield commuter pattern is heavy already without a toll. * - The I-99 interchange traffic patterns could be altered by a toll location in Centre County. - The tolling of I-80 will cause increased traffic on State Route The group seemed to agree with the Project Team s opinion that Toll Location C3 creates the least diversion. Economic: - The economic study should identify strategies that help the local economy grow.* - The business model must explore strategies that help small businesses (sign makers, lumber companies, powder coated metals, etc.).* - A freight analysis should be done by Wilbur Smith Associates as part of the economic study for the project. - Keystone Opportunity Zones are not the answer. - Upgrade State Route 0219 to establish a stronger central north/south highway to rely on for movement of goods and services through the region. - Corridor O should be built. - Install new high-speed lanes through the median of I-80. The region could use help in marketing the inland port at the Dubois Jefferson Airport. - The region could use help in marketing the inland port distribution center at the Dubois-Jefferson Airport.

8 7. Northwest Commission (RPO) July 28, 2008 Capital Plan: - Concern was raised on the 4% per year of expenditure numbers used for escalation. If the inflation rises at a greater rate, projects will need to be adjusted during the annual review process. Traffic: - Toll Location A1 - There would be more diversion to the north because the larger population centers are to the north of I Toll Location A2 - Agreed that State Route 0062 would be the route to be used most often for diversions. - Toll Location A2 - Consider the presence of an Amish community on Wilmington Road. - Toll Locations B1 & 2- The diversions projected look accurate to the group. - Toll Location B1 is not a good location because the diversion route is Emlenton Hill, which is very dangerous. - Some people expressed concern with Toll Location B2 because State Route 0066 is home to three manufactured home plants. State Route 0208 will be the diversion route for the mobile home carriers. There is also a logging company, bath tub manufacturer, Grandview Estates, and tourist traffic on State Route Consider new a toll collection facility option near Exit 29, Barkeyville or between Clintonville and Emlenton. This location was considered and ruled out due to the potential for diversion on State Route Toll Location B2 This is better than Toll Location B1 from a safety standpoint. Consider Elementary School on State Route Projected diversions look accurate. Economic: - Consider the type of technology the Commission will use to implement Open Road Tolling along the corridor. Installation of fiber optics available for commercial use would be favorable and would provide a great benefit to the region. - The Commission confirmed that the carriers for the manufactured housing businesses will be able to pass through the tolling location gantries without obstruction. - The Economic Team should talk to Bennet Transport and Clarion University about their commuter patterns. - There will be a steady stream of construction jobs in the region given the proposed Capital Plan. The RPO requested a more detailed breakdown of the types of jobs expected. This will help the region develop workforce-training opportunities in the area. There is also interest in more detailed projections on local vs. specialized jobs for spin-off job discussions.

9 8. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre MPO July 31, 2008 Traffic: - Toll Location G2 - It was noted that State Route 0192 should be added as a potential diversion route. - Concerned about traffic diverting from I-80 to I-81 and I-84. Tolls: - Is the Commission able to split the toll locations eastbound and westbound within a tolling zone? It was noted that, while open road tolling as a technical matter could allow splitting the eastbound and westbound toll locations within a tolling zone, the current tolling strategy contemplates using a single site within each zone for collecting tolls in both directions. Economic: - If I-80 tolls are implemented, fees such as PA registration or drivers license on PA residents should be reduced.* - Concerned about the economic impact to the trucking industry and local businesses along the corridor.*

10 9. Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) RPO August 4, 2008 Traffic: - Did not feel prepared to discuss the traffic diversions. Requested some time to review the materials. - Toll Location H2 Traffic diversions associated with H2 would be less attractive because traffic would be going through an already congested area. ITS:k - Feels that PennDOT should maintain control of all ITS on I-80. Capital Plan: - Concerned that the existing average IRI on I-80 is 63 and that the presentation stated that the Commission s goal was to keep the IRI less than 100. Why should the IRI on I-80 be allowed to increase over the existing IRI? The corridor will be maintained to a standard at least comparable to or better than the condition of I- 80 on the date of conversion to a toll facility. Quality standards will be spelled out in an agreement between the Commission and PennDOT. - Concerned about on-going coordination between the RPO and the Turnpike Commission for the projects on the Capital Plan and how often the RPO would be allowed to review the Capital Plan. Tolls: - How would the collection occur with the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission work if Toll Location J2 were selected? It was noted that the collection system still needs to be coordinated between the agencies. Other: - Concerned about the accountability of the Commission. Feels that PennDOT is a more accountable organization.

11 Exhibit G: Letter of Support from Governor Rendell, Chairs of Senate and House Transportation Committees, and Ranking Member of Senate Transportation Committee

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