Pennsylvania State Representative Jason Ortitay (R-46) and State Senator Devlin Robinson (R-37) held a joint press conference to draw attention to their opposition to the recent announcement of PennDot’s plan to place a toll on the bridge that carries Interstate 79 over Route 50 in Bridgeville. The proposed toll will be a two way toll. It is undetermined whether it will cost one or two dollars per usage. A driver could be charged between two and four dollars if they travel Interstate79 each direction once each day. Neither Ortitay nor Robinson had any communication with PennDot or the Governor’s office as to whether this is a temporary or permanent toll. Robinson likened it to the Johnstown Flood tax placed on liquor that is still in existence today. Ortitay says that he is irritated because he felt he has a good working relationship with PennDot and the Governor’s office and he was caught off guard when the announcement was made. Jim Scalo, President of Burns-Scalo Real Estate says that this could affect as many as 50,000 jobs in the area and as a developer he feels betrayed by government. Gwen Rodi, President of the South Fayette Board of Commissioners is worried because it will cost her township dearly in increased road maintenance costs due to drivers trying to avoid tolls and using township streets. Ortitay and Robinson are looking for alternate ways to fund the bridge rehabilitation project.