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WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission plans to complete the Mon-Fayette Toll Road with the 24 mile section between State Route 51 and Interstate 376; and
WHEREAS, the proposed route 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, the Boroughs of Braddock, Duquesne and Rankin are currently distressed communities under Act 47; and
WHEREAS, the current estimated budget for the remaining sections of the Mon-Fayette Toll Road is approximately $3.65 billion, and the budget for this section is approximately $2.7 billion; and
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has not been able to identify a source of funding to cover their current budget shortfall of $3.4 billion, despite years of concerted effort; and
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania 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, the municipalities and school districts in the path of the proposed toll road can ill afford to sacrifice properties from the tax rolls with no guarantee of prompt economic return to their communities; and
WHEREAS, the communities in the path of this proposed toll road are unable to develop land-use plans and comprehensive strategies for economic development while the uncertainty of the road's final design and construction persists; and
WHEREAS, it is our belief that economic redevelopment and the formulation of sustainable transportation and land use plans in these communities are of paramount importance to the future of our region; and
WHEREAS, we call upon the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to postpone any decision to proceed with acquisition of right-of...
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