LEWISBURG -- When Act 44 was passed in July, providing for the increase of toll prices on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and creation of tolls on Interstate 80, proponents said it was going to be a slam dunk for federal approval, said state Sen. John R. Gordner, R-27, of Berwick.
"It came back to Pennsylvania in the middle of December," he said, when the Federal Highway Administration requested more information on more than 24 items.
"I am pleased to say next week will be four months that the application is still sitting at the Turnpike Commission."
Of those 24 issues, Gordner told the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce Joint Legislative Forum Friday morning, there are five to seven the Turnpike Commission cannot answer honestly in a way the FHA can approve.
"If it was a slam dunk, don't you think they would have answered those questions and sent it back in a hurry?" he said.
"But they didn't."
Gordner was joined at the forum by state Rep. Merle Phillips, R-108 of RR2 Sunbury.
Gordner said there is no deadline for Turnpike Commission to return the application.
"Four months sitting at the Turnpike Commission makes me very happy and I hope it continues to sit there because it's a bad idea, a bad proposal and it's bad for Central Pennsylvania."
Gordner also addressed several projects going in the Valley, including:
n The Pawling Station Business Park in Penn Township, Snyder County, which has the interest of a number of prospective tenants, he said;
n Legislation for the Milton Industrial Park, promoted by Gordner and Phillips, that would allow the Milton Area Industrial Development Association to enable expansion;
n And PPL Scrubber in Washingtonville, Montour County, which manufactures gypsum board, brought in the U.S. Gypsum plant that will open this summer and create 60 to 80 jobs.
U.S. Gypsum and PPL Scrubber expect two related companies to come in as well, Gordner said.
Property tax relief will be seen in July, when most residents will see a deduction of $100 to $150, Gordner said.
"It's coming. Will it satisfy folks in regard to the property tax issue? No, but it is at least some start," he said.
Phillips said he has no doubt the fish ladder on the Susquehanna River in Sunbury will become a reality.
"I believe we have a responsibility to develop our riverfront because quality of life is a secret to growth in an area," he said. "It's your infrastructure. It's What do you have to offer to an individual to come into the area?'"
Phillips also said the Susquehanna River Heartland Correlation is considering the Marina at Shikellamy State Park as a possible site for an environmental and education research center.
"There are conceptual plans to renovate and increase the size of the building to 9,500 square feet," he said. "Designs have been drawn. It's a good location and plans are progressing."
n E-mail comments to gmorton@dailyitem.com.
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