PennDOT’s May lettings total $219 million

The state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) bid out just over $219 million in projects in May bringing the year-to-date total to $760.8 million.  At this same time last year, PennDOT had let just under $800 million.

PennDOT finished the 2010 calendar year with approximately $2.2 billion in lettings.  While PennDOT initially forecast that 2011 will only see $1.7 billion, which was the level of the program back in 2006-07, it expects to hit close to $2 billion by year’s end due to realized savings on the competitive bidding market and increases fuel tax revenues.  The department said the overall forecasted decrease is due to the expiration of the federal Economic Stimulus payments as well as a decrease in state funding and stagnet federal funding.  To put into perspective, PennDOT’s lettings were $2.8 billion in 2009 due to the billion dollars in economic stimulus funds.

To view the full 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 updates.

What do Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan Have in Common?

…They both understood the importance of a strong national infrastructure system.

Highway Work Zone License Plates

Proceeds benefit children of fallen highway workers

Often times when we hear about a highway worker killed on the job, we forget about the families that rely on them and the financial repercussions that result from a missing income. Seeking post high school education may no longer be a reality for these children in the wake of a tragic work zone accident.  With your help, PHIA is partnering with APC to help the children of our fallen colleagues.  For more information on how to get your work zone license plate, click here.

PHIA recognizes five newspapers for reporting and commentary

Five Pennsylvania newspapers were honored at PHIA’s Transportation Conference and Annual Meeting for excellence in reporting and commentary during the last year.

The Chambersburg Public Opinion, Carlisle Sentinel and Lebanon Daily News, collaborating under the banner of the Central Pennsylvania Joint Reporting Project, were recognized for the series titled “Interstate 81: Troubled Highway,” published in all three papers in January.

The series examined the ways I-81 has re-shaped the smaller communities along its path, and it took a critical look at the future of one of the country’s most important transportation corridors.  The project also received assistance from a Shippensburg University journalism class.  The series can be viewed here. Read more

Keystone Funding Coalition Carries Message to State Capitol

Highlights from the Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition’s press conference and Transportation Day.