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:  

Carl DeFebo, 717-939-9551, extension 2934
cdefebo@paturnpike.com

December 7, 2000

 

MALLORY RE-ELECTED TURNPIKE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN
Timothy J. Carson attends first meeting as a Commissioner.

CARLISLE, PA. — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Dec. 5, reelected Secretary of Transportation Bradley L. Mallory as chairman and Pittsburgh attorney James J. Dodaro as vice chairman of the Commission. Philadelphia attorney Timothy J. Carson attended his first meeting as Commissioner after being sworn into office during a Nov. 28 ceremony at the state Capitol.

Carson is partner in the Philadelphia office of Saul Ewing LLP, where for the last 23 years he has limited his practice to the public-finance field, serving as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel and special counsel in the financing of a wide range of public projects.

"Mr. Carson is a welcome addition to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission," Mallory said. "He brings a fresh perspective to the Commission and an expansive understanding of transportation and public-finance issues so vital in operating an efficient and valued toll-road system.

"We are continually working to enhance a professional and fiscally sound agency," Mallory continued. "The expertise, experience and enthusiasm Mr. Carson brings to the Commission will help to ensure that we attain that objective."

Carson chaired Saul Ewing’s public finance department — one of the most active public-finance practices in the mid-Atlantic — for a number of years. In 1996, he was only the third Pennsylvania lawyer to be elected as a fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel that recognizes excellence in the field of public-finance law. In addition, Carson is the current vice president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and is slated to assume the presidency of that association in May 2002.

"This is a very dynamic and exciting time for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with numerous landmark projects, such as the recent implementation of electronic toll collection technology," Carson pointed out. "In addition, many more initiatives, such as the Mon/Fayette and Southern Beltway projects and the total reconstruction and widening of the Turnpike, loom just over the horizon.

"This is quite a full menu of major ventures, none of which would be feasible if not for the strong financial management and sound strategic-planning principles employed by Turnpike executives," Carson said. "Most noteworthy is a 10-year capital plan that identifies some $2 to $3 billion in needs over the coming decade and evokes a key challenge for the commission: finding ways to creatively finance its vision."

Carson is chairman of the board and executive committee of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission where he has served in numerous leadership roles for more than four years. All federal and state highway funds for the Delaware Valley are channeled through the DVRPC, which has a current work program of more than $4.8 billion in projects. Due to his connection to the DVRPC — which performs and coordinates planning for a nine-county region — Carson is quite familiar with planning and transportation issues facing the commonwealth.

"I have seen that being America's first superhighway certainly has its advantages, but this distinction also brings with it numerous challenges," Carson explained. "Infrastructure, technology and financing are probably the top-three areas that come to mind, and I know that the Turnpike Commission is thoroughly addressing these priority issues through wise and deliberate planning."

In addition to his public financing and regional planning background, Carson brings lawmaking expertise to the Commission as well. He helped to draft Pennsylvania's Transportation Partnership Act of 1985, legislation which encourages the creation of innovative public-private partnerships for transportation improvement projects.

"The Turnpike has always been more than just a highway, it plays a critical role in economic development, and it contributes greatly to the positive business climate which we are working hard to cultivate across Pennsylvania.," Carson said. "One recent example of a public-private partnership is the Turnpike’s construction of the Fort Washington slip ramp to serve the employees of businesses and industries located in the Fort Washington office park complex.

"I greatly look forward to expanding my public-service efforts by assisting the citizens of the commonwealth in the capacity of turnpike commissioner," Carson concluded. "I am confident that my experience in transportation issues and the financing of public projects will prove to be especially beneficial to the commission."

The new Commissioner joins Mallory, Dodaro, Mitchell Rubin and Bonney C. Daubenspeck on the five-member Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

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