PennDOT’s May Lettings Total $240 Million

The state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) bid just over $240 million in projects in May bringing the year-to-date total to $575.7 million.  PennDOT finished the 2012 calendar year with $1.973 billion in lettings but is only on pace to finish with $1.4 billion in contract lettings during this calendar year.  PennDOT’s 2013 letting program forecast is $1.7 billion.  Click HERE to view a chart of the PennDOT letting history since 1994.

To view the full April letting report and year comparisons, click the link below.

May Letting Report (PDF)

*The report lists the total contracts awarded at each letting date, a comparison to the same period in the previous calendar year, and letting adjustments made since the previous month. PHIA staff will track PennDOT lettings throughout the year and provide monthly update.

2013 Road and Safety Awards Program Open to Counties

PHIA has launched its annual Road and Bridge Safety Improvement Award program for 2013.  The annual contest is now taking applications by members of the County Commissioners Association of PA (CCAP).

Each year the Pennsylvania Highway Information Association (PHIA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) team with various state organizations to recognize the best road safety or bridge improvement projects undertaken across the state.   Eligible projects are those in which most or all of the safety improvements were completed in 2012.  The competition recognizes not only major, high-cost projects, but any improvements that have increased public safety.

The CCAP program will recognize county’s use of highway user fees for needed community safety improvements, culminating in a presentation to the winners at CCAP’s annual conference in Erie on August 7, 2013.  Click HERE to download a copy of the entry brochure.  The entry deadline is July 12, 2013.

For more information on other municipal organization’s Road and Bridge Safety Award programs, click here.

New Report Outlines Need for Highway Funding

On May 29, The Road Information Program (TRIP) released a study estimating that poor Pennsylvania roadways are costing the state’s residents approximately $9.4 billion annual in the form of additional vehicle operating costs as well as in costs of lost time and wasted fuel due to traffic congestion and traffic crashes.

To view coverage of the press event in Harrisburg, Pa. view the video below.

PENNSYLVANIA TRANSPORTATION BY THE NUMBERS: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe and Efficient Mobility

PENNSYLVANIA TRANSPORTATION BY THE NUMBERS: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe and Efficient Mobility

Senate Committee Approves Comprehensive Transportation Funding Package

By a 13-1 vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Chairman John Rafferty (R-Chester/Montgomery), which would provide an additional $2.5 billion annually to the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure.

The committee’s action is a first step toward enacting a comprehensive funding bill. Final action is expected before the summer recess, on or about June 30. Senate Bill 1 closely mirrors the recommendations of the Transportation Funding Advisory Commission (TFAC) and embodies the principles of a multi-modal, comprehensive funding package as endorsed by the Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition (KTFC).

Senate Bill 1 would be the first major funding enhancement in almost 16 years. The industry will be working diligently with the KTFC, the General Assembly, and the Administration as the legislation develops into a final package. Read more