Leading America’s first Superhighway

What does it take to lead one of the most complex transportation systems in the United States? In this episode, Mark Compton, CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offers a behind-the-scenes look at modern infrastructure leadership and how agencies are adapting to increasing demands in construction, safety, sustainability, and customer experience. The conversation explores how the Pennsylvania Turnpike is redefining infrastructure through forward-thinking initiatives like open road tolling, fiber optic network expansion, and renewable energy investments such as solar microgrids.

Mark also discusses the realities of workforce challenges, the importance of maintaining safe and efficient construction zones, and how sustainability goals are being integrated into long-term strategic planning. Listeners will gain valuable perspective on leadership in transportation, including the shift from viewing the public as constituents to treating them as customers. Tune in for valuable insights on transportation leadership and a forward-looking view of the future of mobility.

Here’s a sneak peek into this week’s conversation but be sure to tune in to the full episode for all the insights. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts.

B: The Pennsylvania Turnpike is known to be a leader in innovation, from implementing open road tolling to starting a fiber optic network. What other innovations do you see coming down the line and how will they impact the system?

MC: We celebrated our 85th year last year. We are the oldest toll road in the country, but I love being in growth mode. The opportunities continue from greenfield construction near Pittsburgh to our fiber network, which is now fully functional across our entire footprint. A key part of our strategic plan is “being a better neighbor,” and we are exploring how to utilize this fiber.

The fiber was designed for open road tolling, connected and autonomous vehicles, and safety. We only need about 30% of that fiber, so we are actively marketing the other 70% to be connected throughout the Commonwealth. We are talking to schools, economic development groups, and data centers. This provides an opportunity to lessen the burden on our customers by generating revenue while being an asset to the Commonwealth.

Open road tolling is also transformational. Traditional tolling requires a trumpet design interchange, but our system is now completely opened up because we are tolling on the main line. We are having conversations with communities that want access to the Turnpike because we can provide it at a fraction of the cost. For example, at the Breezewood interchange, there was historically a prohibition against connecting a toll road to an interstate. With this new platform, we have the opportunity to do a direct connect from I-70. This will provide massive congestion relief and allow us to reinvent what Breezewood is.

Season 10 of Pave It Black is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps.