The tolls are unpopular along most of the I-80 route in Pennsylvania because (1) most of that route is very rural and while it does serve east and west bound interstate travel and truck shipping, it also provides a major route between the rural towns nearest to it, and (2) the main purpose of the tolls IS NOT for I-80 and those living nearest to it, but for “mass transit” systems in the populous eastern edge of the state.
Now then, if Pennsylvania sold it’s stretch of I-80 to a private interest, a private interest who established tolls along it, then Pennsylvania could designate the tax revenue it got from that private company however it wanted to.
The biggest losers in either case are likely to be the residents of the rural towns along I-80, at least those who have come to depend on it, depend on it without tolls.
Now then, if Pennsylvania sold it’s stretch of I-80 to a private interest, a private interest who established tolls along it, then Pennsylvania could designate the tax revenue it got from that private company however it wanted to.
Highway "privatization" is a corrupt scam that enables private swindlers to usurp public property and skim the monopolistic toll revenue into their own pockets.
Pennsylvania taxpayers are infinitely better off by retaining taxpayer ownership of their highways, and retaining every penny of the tolls that they pay to themselves.