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A Resolution of the Council of the County of Allegheny urging the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to declare a moratorium on the acquisition of right-of-way properties until the Commission has identified a guaranteed funding source to cover the remaining costs of design and construction of the S.R. 51 to I-376 section of the Mon-Fayette Toll Road, and further urging the Governor to support such a moratorium.
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WHEREAS the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission plans to complete the Mon-Fayette Toll Road with the 24-mile section between S.R. 51 and I-376; and
WHEREAS the proposed route for this section passes through the boroughs of Jefferson Hills, West Mifflin, Dravosburg, Duquesne, Turtle Creek, Monroeville, North Braddock, Braddock, Rankin, Swissvale, and the neighborhoods of Hazelwood, Greenfield and Oakland in the City of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS among these municipalities, the City of Pittsburgh and the Boroughs of Rankin, Braddock and Duquesne are currently classified as distressed municipalities under Act 47; and
WHEREAS, the current estimated budget for this section of the Mon-Fayette Toll Road is approximately $3.65 billion; and
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has not been able to identify a source of funding to cover their current shortfall of $3.4 billion for this segment of the project, despite years of concerted effort; and
WHEREAS, the Turnpike Commission does have sufficient funds available to initiate the acquisition of right-of-way properties, regardless of the uncertainty of future funding for construction; and
WHEREAS, if the Turnpike Commission were to proceed with acquiring right-of-way properties, these properties would be rendered tax-exempt in the process, and this could have significant negative revenue impacts upon communities that are already struggling with budgetary concerns; and; and
WHEREAS, uncertainty regarding when, if ever, the Turnpike Commission will acquire these right-of...
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