Contact:

Bill Capone
717-939-9551 ext. 3040

Carl DeFebo
717-920-7176

August 15, 2008

HARRISBURG, PA (08/15/2008; 1308)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will host a Sept. 17 informational meeting for companies interested in learning more about a possible Public-Private Partnership, or "P3" to finance, design, construct, operate and/or maintain three remaining sections of the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway toll highways near Pittsburgh. The meeting will take place Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East, 4757 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, Pa. from 1 to 4 p.m.

Turnpike CEO Joe Brimmeier said the commission remains fully committed to advancing the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway projects to completion. "In order to do that, we need to look at all options, including alternatives like P3s," he said. "Timely completion of these projects is important to the region's economy, and we believe private involvement could accelerate construction, particularly since there's very limited funding available for new transportation projects at the state and federal levels."

The Turnpike Commission began considering possible applications of a P3 on the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway in January, 2007 when it became clear that existing revenue streams were inadequate to finish the projects in a practical timetable. "We've long recognized the need for private-sector involvement in transportation funding," Brimmeier pointed out. "We believe the best use for a P3 is as initially intended: To help build new facilities, so-called 'greenfield' projects. However, we still assert that P3s relating to 'brownfield,' projects - or existing infrastructure - offer less opportunity for the private sector to add value."

Informational meeting participants are encouraged to pre-register by Sept. 12 via the Turnpike website at www.paturnpike.com by selecting the "P3 Project" item on the left of the main page. For other information on the Mon-Fayette and Southern Beltway projects, visit www.paturnpike.com/MonFaySB/.

The 50 miles of limited-access tolled expressway not yet under construction include the 24-mile Mon-Fayette Expressway project in Allegheny County north from Pa. Route 51 in Jefferson Hills to Interstate 376 in Pittsburgh and Monroeville and two Southern Beltway projects that would extend the beltway 26 miles to the existing Mon-Fayette Expressway in Union Township, Washington County. Environmental clearance has been obtained for the Mon-Fayette Expressway project and is expected to be obtained for one of the Southern Beltway projects within the next month. Environmental clearance for the other Southern Beltway project is expected in late 2008 or early 2009. These sections are contiguous with other sections of the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway that are open to traffic and currently being operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

The General Assembly tasked the Turnpike Commission to complete the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway projects with passage of Act 61 of 1985. The Turnpike has the authority to enter into P3 agreements that are necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties.