Gov. Ed Rendell has begun soliciting interest for the privatization of the Pennsylvania Turnpike - and students could be paying tolls to someone other than the state.

Rendell's spokesperson Kate Phillips said the process is still in the "research" phase, which involves asking private financial groups about their interest in the turnpike and analyzing the pros and cons of leasing it.

Phillips said all proposals of interest are due to the Governor by Dec. 22, at which time he will analyze the different offers and present a proposal to the state legislature in January.

The turnpike could be worth anywhere from $2 billion to $30 billion, money that would be put towards Rendell's initiative to raise $1.66 billion to improve the state's transportation infrastructure, Phillips said.

Phillips said Rendell would put several safeguards in place to ensure that the lease of the turnpike was in the interest of the people, including a cap on toll increases, protection of the turnpike's workforce and a required maintenance schedule.

While private ownership of state highways has been successful for both Indiana and Illinois, Rendell wants to make sure the same is true for Pennsylvania, Phillips said.

"There's been a lot of interest over the past several years," she said. "We want to make sure it is the best course for Pennsylvania."

Check tomorrow's Daily Collegian for the full story.