Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission: Be Audit Smart Guide
In this Be Audit Smart guide, we’re breaking down our latest performance audit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Every four years, the department is required to conduct a performance audit of the Commission to look at its procedures, operating and capital budgets, and debt and accounts. This most recent performance audit covered the period of June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2025.
Keep reading to find more about this performance audit and visit our Be Audit Smart page to access previous audits, audit guides, and learn key audit terminology.
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Audit Summary | News Release | Fact Sheet | Resource Hub | Contact
Audit Summary
The audit had two objectives: determine if the Commission’s revenue collections are meeting projected expectations to cover its payment obligations and planned capital improvement projects; and evaluate the Commission’s process for collecting tolls, determine the amounts of paid and unpaid tolls, and access whether all applicable enforcement mechanisms are being properly utilized to collect unpaid tolls.
Auditors had 5 findings and provided 19 recommendations; 12 directed to the Commission, two to the Pennsylvania General Assembly and five to both the Commission and the General Assembly.
“We made 19 recommendations to improve the financial status of the Turnpike and collect the money it is owed. The fact remains, the Turnpike Commission didn’t get into this situation alone, and the legislature and Governor need to help improve its financial viability.”
– Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor
News Release
Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor today released a second performance audit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, which found its financial position has improved but that debt management and unpaid toll collection continue to be challenges.
“I am pleased to say that a lot has improved since our first audit in 2022,” Auditor General DeFoor said. “The Commission has worked with the legislature to implement our recommendation to make it harder for drivers to dodge their toll bills, made headway on its debt payments, and improved its credit rating. However, it still has more debt than the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania largely due to Acts 44 and 89 requiring it to pay PennDOT another $1.6 billion through 2057.”
Fact Sheet
What did the audit find? What recommendations did the auditors make to fix these issues? Where does the Turnpike Commission get its money from? What is Act 44/Act 89? Find answers to these questions and many more via our Fact Sheet.
Resource Hub
Press Release: Read the official press release announcing this audit.
Audio/Video: Download audio and video recordings from the official press conference announcing this audit. (coming soon)
Audit: Download a copy of the audit.
Fact Sheet: Download a list of answers to FAQs.
Contact
April Hutcheson, Communications Director at the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General: 717-787-1381 or news@paauditor.gov