Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
1 NW OOIDA Drive, Grain Valley, MO  64029    
Web site: www.ooida.com

Contact: Norita Taylor, norita_taylor@ooida.com 
Headquarters: (800) 444-5791

(Grain Valley, Oct. 12, 2007) – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission must have forgotten the rules of law as well as the rules of ethics in their rush to sign a half-century long lease to toll Interstate 80.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) pointed out both organizations seem eager to lock the citizens of Pennsylvania into a contract that will no doubt affect their children and grandchildren, without those citizens even seeing a glimpse of the deal.

“At the very least, it’s blatantly unethical on their part,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer. “And, it may be totally illegal.”

Neither organization has been granted the authority by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to move ahead with tolling I-80. In addition, signing such a lease would violate General Pilot Program Provisions regulations issued by the FHWA.

“It’s perplexing that the Turnpike Authority thinks this will go through unquestioned,” added Spencer. “Their greed exceeds their common sense and common courtesy. What will the state be on the hook for if it’s not approved?”

OOIDA, which represents nearly 157,000 small-business truckers, has been protesting the proposal to toll I-80 because it is essentially double taxation, unsafe for other roads, and not in the best interest of all highway users or businesses in Pennsylvania.

“Tolling would be an unconscionable burden for small business truckers,” stated Spencer. “And, it would also start the death knell for thousands of Pennsylvania businesses that rely on I-80 for commerce and their very livelihood.”

Continuing on, Spencer added, “What’s the rush? So these quasi-government entities can elevate their irresponsible and irrational spending of transportation dollars?”

“It’s a fire sale and the people of Pennsylvania are going to get burned.”

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, MO, area. The Association currently has nearly 157,000 members from all 50 states and Canada.