From staff reports
The Clarion County Economic Development Corp. has announced its opposition to the proposed bridge toll on the Canoe Creek bridges on Interstate 80.
In a news release, the nonprofit CCEDC said the proposed toll would pose a financial deterrent toward businesses in northwestern Pennsylvania, steepening an already uphill battle for those businesses to compete.
Jarred Heuer, CCEDC economic development specialist, said revenue streams, including the state’s gasoline tax, are already in place to fund repairs and rehabilitation to the state’s transportation system.
“If those revenue streams have failed, taxpayers, local or otherwise, should not be prioritized to foot the bill,” he said.
“Essential workers, like American truckers, deserve safe roadways, but should not be largely responsible for paying the price to maintain our commonwealth’s roads, bridges and tunnels.”
The CCEDC said it has launched a survey intended for business owners to add their voices and share their perspective on how the proposed tolls would affect them.
The survey can be found at www.ClarionCountyEDC.com.