Kathy Liebler
                        Director of Public Information


C  O  M  M  I  S  S  I  O  N       N  E  W  S       R  E  L  E  A  S  E

Contact:  

Kathy Liebler, 717-939-9551, Ext. 2840

July 19, 2000

 

PENNDOT SECRETARY ELECTED CHAIRMAN 
OF TURNPIKE COMMISSION

HARRISBURG, PA -- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in a major reorganization, unanimously elected Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Bradley L. Mallory as its Chairman. Mallory succeeds James F. Malone of Fox Chapel, who will retire from the Commission in August, following 15 years of service, the last five as chairman.

Also re-elected to their respective posts were James J. Dodaro, White Oak, as vice chairman and Ursula Hanford as secretary-treasurer.

Mallory, who has headed the state Department of Transportation since January 1995, at the start of the Ridge Administration, has also served on the Turnpike Commission as an ex-officio member for the past five years.

Turnpike Executive Director John T. Durbin welcomed Secretary Mallory to the chairmanship, praising him for his leadership capabilities. "Time and time again, Secretary Mallory has displayed exemplary judgment, foresight and creativity in resolving transportation issues and problems. The Turnpike is fortunate to have him at the table as an engaged Commissioner, and now as its Chairman," Durbin said.

Mallory assumes the leadership post as the Commission embarks on two of the its most ambitious undertakings in recent years, the $1 billion total reconstruction of the original 160-mile Turnpike from Carlisle to Irwin, and the launching of electronic toll collection, or E-ZPass, this fall.

Dodaro, who has served as a Commissioner for the past 15 years, is a member of the law firm, Dodaro, Kennedy and Cambest, Forest Hills. Also serving on the Commission are Bonney C. Daubenspeck, Erie and Mitchell Rubin, Philadelphia.

The five-member Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was created in 1937 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to construct, finance, operate and maintain the toll highway. Today with several expansion projects throughout Pennsylvania, the Turnpike provides more than 512 miles of limited access toll highway. The Governor appoints four commissioners who must be confirmed by the Senate of Pennsylvania. The fifth commissioner is the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Transportation.

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 P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676         Phone: (717) 939-9551         Fax: (717) 986-9649