PHIA News Digest – Vol. 7, No. 1
2021 Smart Talk encore — How will Pa. spend infrastructure money?
More than $18 billion will be on its way to Pennsylvania as part of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden earlier this month.
Pa. Turnpike planning steps to reduce $105M in unpaid tolls
The uncollected tolls are mostly from drivers who don’t have an E-ZPass transponder and failed to pay a bill they received in the mail after the agency took a photo of their license plate. Other delinquents are drivers who purposely cover their license or take other steps to avoid paying turnpike tolls, or who live out of state and feel no obligation to pay Pennsylvania’s piper.
Second half of CSVT construction to begin in 2022
Construction of the southern portion of the $865 million Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project is scheduled to begin in 2022.
PennDOT distributes $12.9M in red-light enforcement grants
PennDOT recently awarded approximately $12.9 million in grants to 22 municipalities statewide through the Automated Red Light Enforcement program.
Pa. should embrace its heritage by restoring railways
Streetcars were once a ubiquitous presence in Pennsylvania’s cities and towns. This mode of transport — a symbol of America’s booming industrial age — was born in Scranton, which became known as “The Electric City” when it opened the first continuously operating electric trolley system in 1886. Soon thereafter, Scranton inspired dozens of other rail projects. By World War I, Pennsylvania was crisscrossed with trolleys, light rails, and interurbans.
Pa. Turnpike introduced 5% toll increase last weekend
Starting on Sunday after midnight, tolls were increased by 5% for both the E-ZPass and toll by plate systems. The only exception is for the new Southern Beltway, PA Turnpike 576.
