PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 7
Rough roads: Pennsylvania facing tough decisions on transportation funding
Transportation funding will take center stage in Harrisburg in the coming weeks as officials face a Bermuda Triangle of issues that threaten the condition of local roads across Pennsylvania.
County detective, prosecutor will crack down Turnpike toll scofflaws
As part of the Turnpike’s efforts to crack down on drivers who are avoiding paying tolls, the agency that oversees more than 500 miles of highway in Pennsylvania has granted the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office $327,705.07 to investigate and prosecute fare evaders who rack up high bills between this year and the end of 2022.
‘Strike while it’s hot’: Somerset County to lobby for Route 219 completion
Somerset County Commissioners have hired a Washington, D.C., consultant with local ties to lobby the Route 219 project.
Pa. only state that doesn’t let local police use radar
Rep. Tom Mehaffie, R-Dauphin County, introduced House Bill 1686, which would allow local officers to use radar. It’s currently in the transportation committee and mirrors a similar measure under consideration in the state Senate.
PennDOT on mission to remind people of REAL ID deadline
PennDOT is ramping up its campaign to remind people that Oct. 1 is the deadline to comply with the federal government’s REAL ID program.
Editorial: Funding plan for Pennsylvania State Police falls far short
Meanwhile, state leaders are reducing the amount of money state police get from the motor license fund. It’s the right thing to do, as more proceeds from the gasoline tax and driver’s license and registration fees should be spent on the state’s transportation infrastructure.
Trump’s infrastructure budget big, bold and unlikely
BIG, BOLD AND UNLIKELY: The Trump administration released its proposed fiscal 2021 budget on Monday, but ultimately many of its proposals will be tossed out altogether at appropriations time.
IBTTA president, vice president take office
Samuel Johnson, chief toll operations officer for the Transportation Corridor Agencies, took office last month as president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA). Mark Compton was also elected to serve as IBTTA’s first vice-president. Compton is Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission CEO and will serve as IBTTA president next year.
