PHIA News Digest – Vol. 7, No. 24
It’s going to be hard finding workers to build infrastructure
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest more than a half trillion dollars in American infrastructure over five years. It’s been estimated that this could create more than 3 million jobs in the construction workforce, bringing hundreds of thousands of new job opportunities every year.
PennDOT to close license, photo centers for Juneteenth
PennDOT has announced that all driver’s license and photo centers, including its Harrisburg full-service center, will be closed Saturday, June 18, through Monday, June 20, for Juneteenth National Freedom Day.
Allowing local police to use radar for speed enforcement has never been closer to becoming law
With that goal in reach that would put Pennsylvania in the company of the 49 other states that already allow this, a coalition of law enforcement and municipal organizations is making a full-court press to bring it to fruition.
Impact of potential suspension of Pa. gas tax
Democratic state Rep. Tony DeLuca, of Allegheny County, proposed legislation in March to suspend the state’s gas tax until the end of this year. The bill is currently sitting before the House Transportation Committee.
GOP lawmakers eviscerate PennDOT’s bridge tolling plan
The Commonwealth Court may have temporarily halted the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s plan to toll nine bridges across the state, but a collection of lawmakers, activists and local government officials rallied at the state Capitol Wednesday to call on Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to pull the plug on the initiative once and for all.
Pa. House panel takes up electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Someday, charging stations for electric vehicles will be as common as roadside gas stations on America’s highways and byways. At least that’s how state Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery, envisions a clean and green future for motorists across the commonwealth and nationwide.
Pa. pedestrian deaths up 20%; bigger cars, road design at issue
Pedestrian deaths have crept upward for more than a decade nationally, and Pennsylvania has seen a 21% rise since 2019.
Luzerne Co. drivers switching to scooters to save money
With current gas prices, many are turning to two wheels instead of four.
New payment option for Turnpike drivers
Motorists on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will soon have another option to pay tolls at a number of retail locations. The Turnpike Commission recently announced a partnership with KUBRA Cash Payment Network so that customers can use cash to pay Toll By Plate invoices or add funds to E-ZPass accounts.
