PHIA News Digest – Vol. 7, No. 27
Buttigieg launches $1B pilot to build racial equity in roads
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Thursday launched a $1 billion first-of-its-kind pilot program aimed at helping reconnect cities and neighborhoods racially segregated or divided by road projects, pledging wide-ranging help to dozens of communities despite the program’s limited dollars.
Self-driving vehicle legislation advances in Harrisburg
House Bill 2398 recently passed through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. It heads to the Senate for consideration next.
Philadelphia’s suburbs embrace the electric vehicle revolution
A growing number of municipalities across the suburbs of Philadelphia are transitioning their gas-powered municipal vehicle fleets and investing in the infrastructure to support EVs.
Revenue Department releases fiscal year 2021-22 collections
In addition to the General Fund collections, the Motor License Fund received $253.2 million for the month, $7.1 million above estimate. Fiscal year-to-date collections for the fund – which include the commonly known gas and diesel taxes, as well as other license, fine and fee revenues – total $2.9 billion, which is $37.4 million, or 1.3 percent, above estimate.
Pa. transportation officials rally around app to alert of vehicle’s temperature
This app, when connected to specific car seats, can alert parents of the temperature in the car, when its buckle has come undone, and the location of the seat itself.
Court blocks PennDOT’s plan to toll 9 state bridges to pay for repairs
A plan to add tolls to bridges on nine major Pennsylvania interstates hit the brakes Thursday when a state court said PennDOT and state officials did not properly follow the law to establish the controversial tolling plan.
Ordering from Amazon or taking a Lyft ride? You could be kicking in money for roads, transit and EVs.
A sea change in transportation funding is coming July 1, when several new fees approved by Colorado lawmakers more than a year ago will take effect. They will target more users of the state’s roads and highways, along with their customers, to chip in for major road and bridge projects — along with initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from tailpipes across the fast-growing state.
P. Joseph Grata
Joseph Grata, of Belle Vernon, Washington Township, a nationally recognized Pittsburgh-based transportation reporter, Belle Vernon Area School Board member and community leader, died of cancer on Monday, June 27, 2022, at his home in Lynnwood, Washington Township. He was 78.
