South Fayette Township manager testifies in Harrisburg about proposed I-79 toll bridge

SOUTH FAYETTE, Pa. — A proposed toll on the Interstate 79 bridge in South Fayette Township is one that many there feel would be reckless and detrimental to their community.

“There’s no doubt motorists will seek to avoid the toll so they will travel through local communities in South Fayette,” said John Barrett, South Fayette Township Manager.

Barrett testified in front of the House Transportation Committee in Harrisburg Thursday regarding the P3 project, PennDOT’s plan to toll nine bridges -- including the Interstate 79 bridge in the South Fayette and Bridgeville area.

Yet Barrett is opposed, saying that this may cause congestion because drivers trying to get around the toll will clog up neighborhood streets, especially during busy commutes. He also said the plans to install the toll could be as early as 2023 before other roads need to be fixed that drivers would use to avoid the toll.

PennDOT has said the suggested tolls will help with transportation funding in the state, the bridges being considered are fairly large and were chosen based o the ability to make repairs within two to four years.

Barrett is worried about the impact to the economics of his community.

“We just think it would be really counterproductive to all the growth we’ve seen in South Fayette Township, just worry something like it would be detrimental to the community and South Hills in general,” Barrett said.

The bridge projects and associated tolling will be looked at over the next year before any final decisions are made.

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