Turnpike toll upgrades could shrink Pennsylvania’s broadband deserts

A nearly-finished project to upgrade Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls could end up boosting broadband access across the state. For the last four years, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) has been installing a fiber optic network across the commonwealth to connect all of the org’s buildings and corresponding tech equipment—aiming for the added benefit of connecting Pennsylvanians beyond the highway. The Turnpike’s fiber optic network can be described as “middle mile connectivity,” meaning that while it isn’t providing broadband infrastructure directly to individual households, it does expand the infrastructure that service providers need to bring internet access to those communities, according to Jesse Ream, manager of transportation technology and communications.