CLEARFIELD – In a unanimous vote, the Clearfield County Commissioners voted to approve a resolution expressing their opposition to Act 44, legislation that authorizes Interstate 80 to become a toll road.
The resolution came about after the commissioners had a meeting with a group of commissioners from 16 counties in the northwestern portion of the state. At that meeting, a resolution was also adopted opposing the Act.
The resolution not only calls for legislators to repeal Act 44, but it also urges the members of the legislature to consider any other viable alternatives to fund highway construction and mass transit in the state.
Clearfield County Commissioner Mike Lytle said that in addition to filing the document in county records, copies should be sent to all representatives and senators who were elected to represent citizens of Clearfield County.
Commissioner Mark McCracken said he has not heard whether there are any alternatives, but he suggested tolling Interstate 99, which has yet to be completed.
“On the length of I-80, communities have put money and time into developing those areas,” he said, adding that growth has not happened to support much of I-99.
McCracken said that the resolution also recognizes the decreased ability to market properties located near the county’s six I-80 exits.
“If Interstate 80 becomes a toll road, companies who may be looking to develop in Clearfield County may look elsewhere.”
He also noted that the change to tolling the highway is a public safety concern. He said local and regional travelers may turn to more rural and free routes to make trips.
“We see here in Clearfield what happens if I-80 closes down,” he said, noting times when accidents on I-80 force traffic to be re-routed through town.
Commissioner Rex Read said that because Clearfield County’s concerns are tied to the effort of 16 other counties, those in opposition have a stronger stance.
“I always feel that when more than just one individual or one entity has something negative to say … a bigger stick will be wielded.”
Read added that a majority of the 16 counties in the group do not have a direct connect with I-80, but they recognized the importance the highway plays in transporting goods at a reasonable cost.
The plan must still gain approval from from several state agencies as well as by the federal government.