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As released by the Pa Turnpike Commission:

HARRISBURG, PA (MARCH 22, 2013) — Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Secretary-Treasurer J. William Lincoln, of Connellsville, Pa., today announced his resignation from the five-member panel effective immediately. He had served as a Turnpike commissioner for more than eight years.

Lincoln, 72, notified Governor Tom Corbett of his decision to step down in writing, saying he was no longer able to perform his duties “given the additional personal stress over the events of the past two weeks and my already difficult battle with maintaining my health.”.

Governor Corbett has accepted Lincoln’s resignation.

Lincoln was first appointed to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in May 2004 and was reappointed in May 2009. He was named commission secretary-treasurer in March 2011.

“We respect Sen. Lincoln’s decision to resign; given the circumstances, he made the right choice,” said Turnpike Chairman William K. Lieberman. “Today, we recognize his 40 years of public service both in the legislature and at the Turnpike Commission, and we wish him the best as he enters a new chapter in his life.”.

Prior to serving on the Turnpike Commission, Lincoln was a state senator for 16 years, serving as senate majority leader during his final term. He also served as a state representative for six years before being elected to the senate.

Under Lincoln’s guidance, the commission continued to invest in the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway projects in southwestern Pennsylvania; during his tenure, the Turnpike completed two Mon-Fayette sections totaling 19 miles and one Southern Beltway stretch of six miles for a total investment of almost $1.3 billion in the region’s infrastructure and economy. He also was a strong advocate of the projects while serving in the house and senate.

The five-member Turnpike Commission was created by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1937 with authority to construct, finance, operate and maintain the Turnpike. The Pennsylvania Turnpike opened to traffic on Oct. 1, 1940. Today the Turnpike operates 552 miles of toll roads that serve around 190 million vehicles annually. Four commissioners, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate, serve on the commission for four-year terms, as does the Secretary of Transportation.

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