Pa. Turnpike chief resigns

The turnpike's chief operating officer, Craig Shuey, will serve as acting CEO until a permanent replacement is named.

The turnpike commission has been under increased scrutiny in recent months, with state auditor general Jack Wagner warning that the agency faces bankruptcy within a few years because of its increasing debt load.

The turnpike has been required since 2007 to borrow billions of dollars to fund highway, bridge and transit projects around Pennsylvania, as well as to pay for the operations of the turnpike.

Nutt has disputed that, telling a legislative hearing last month that toll increases on motorists and truckers every year will provide enough money to prevent financial calamity.

The turnpike is more than $7 billion in debt, up from $2 billion in 2002 and $4 billion in 2009. The burden continues to grow, with the turnpike required to make payments for statewide projects until 2057.

In his resignation letter, Nutt cited accomplishments in his 19-month stint, including a 50-percent expansion in the turnpike's capital program that created "engineering, construction and related service jobs;" adoption of a new professional services procurement process, and creation of an office of diversity to increase minority hiring and an office of compliance to investigate the turnpike for fraud and abuse.