PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 19
Feds OK I-83 widening project
The Federal Highway Administration has signed off on an Interstate 83 widening project that could displace nearly 100 York County homeowners and businesses. The project, covering roughly 5 miles of the I-83 corridor from Exit 19 to Exit 22 — Market Street to North George Street — received FHA approval April 20 based on an environmental and engineering assessment conducted in August.
With April revenue down 30 percent, PennDOT counting on federal aid
The fate of PennDOT’s operations lies in whether the department receives a chunk of federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
PennDOT makes changes for drivers during pandemic
PennDOT advises drivers to not worry about renewing licenses if they have expired during the stay at home order. Any licenses or ID’s that have expired from March 16th to May 31st will be valid until June 30.
Bridges connecting Pa., New Jersey to collect cash again
Drivers making the trip over the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania will soon be able to use cash again on four bridges. Starting Monday, May 11, at 6 a.m. the Delaware River Port Authority will begin taking cash payments again for tolls on the Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, Commodore Barry and Walt Whitman bridges, connecting South Jersey with Philadelphia and Delaware County, the DRPA announced Wednesday.
PennDOT says $800M in federal aid needed to keep non-critical projects rolling
Facing a drop in gas tax revenue from fewer motorists driving at a time when the Pennsylvania Turnpike won’t turn over more than $100 million due in July, PennDOT might delay noncritical bridge and highway projects if the state does not get $700 million to $800 million in covid-19 federal aid this summer, agency officials said Tuesday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary says CARES Act has ‘done a great deal’ for state
In an interview seen only on KDKA, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao was asked if her Department was doing enough to help this region. Chao insists the CARES Act is helping local agencies.
PennDOT implementing COVID-19 guidelines as projects reopen
When work resumes on the Upper Bridge section of the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway on Monday, all contract workers will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines as required by a safety plan submitted by the contractor, and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 18
Construction projects across Pennsylvania get ready to roll
After sitting idle for approximately six weeks, nonessential construction sites across Pennsylvania are gearing up to resume work on May 1. In doing so, project teams must adhere to new COVID-19 safety regulations released by Gov. Tom Wolf (D) on April 24. Wolf became one of the first governors in the country to shut down all but essential projects on March 19.
PennDOT to resume safety project near I-80 Bellefonte Interchange
While it will likely be at least five years before the new I-80/I-99 high-speed interchange is completed, PennDOT is continuing work to enhance safety near the I-80 Bellefonte exit.
Potters Mills work continues in May
Work will continue off the roadway, and drivers should be alert and drive cautiously, as numerous construction vehicles will enter and exit U.S. 322 through the Potters Mills area. Flaggers in the roadway may be aiding construction vehicle movement. Motorists are not permitted to follow construction equipment into the work area.
Southern Beltway project to resume in Mt. Pleasant Township
Construction on the Southern Beltway will continue beginning Tuesday with traffic restrictions being set into place in Mt. Pleasant Township, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
CSVT work to continue next week
Work will begin Monday and will include excavation and embankment operations, planting trees and shrubs, and building temporary access roads to facilitate the paving operations. Work on the CSVT River Bridge will begin a week later, on May 11. The contractor will continue preparatory work for the construction of the bridge deck.
Pa. turnpike traffic reduction could cost SEPTA $178M
SEPTA is hemorrhaging money and riders thanks to the coronavirus pandemic — and now, it also faces an imminent shortfall in state transit funding that could delay critical infrastructure projects like station renovations or new vehicle purchases.
Pa. banned license plates: The 2,000+ phrases PennDOT won’t allow you to use
Over the years, PennDOT has compiled a list of messages it will not allow on license plates, whether by some random assembly or by a mischievous driver willing to pay for a vanity plate. The list has a mind-boggling 2,330 entries.
PA Turnpike sees 46% traffic reduction during pandemic
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is seeing a revenue loss when it comes to tolls across the state. “We’ve seen a 35% decrease in revenue and a 46% decrease in traffic volumes,” Turnpike Commission spokesperson Carl DeFebo said.
Gas tax revenue drying up
According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, the demand for gasoline has dropped as much as 50%, inventories have risen to a record high and the price of gas continues to plunge at the pump.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 17
Gas tax revenue drying up
According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, the demand for gasoline has dropped as much as 50%, inventories have risen to a record high and the price of gas continues to plunge at the pump.
Wolf administration announces housing and transportation funding
Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin announced new funding assistance for community development and affordable housing activities to address the COVID-19 pandemic under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Pandemic puts emergency responders in tough spot; PennDOT adapts
Nearly a quarter of Pennsylvania’s Emergency Medical Services shut down between 2012 and 2018 due to a lack of funding and not enough emergency service technicians, paramedics or volunteers to staff ambulances. That was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, emergency responders face exposure to patients infected by the virus and risking their own health, as well as money being even tighter.
PennDOT extending deadlines for licenses, registrations
While expiration dates on licenses and registrations were extended to the end of April, they are now through the end of May. The deadline extension also applies to safety and emissions inspections as well as learner’s permits.
Prices are plummeting at the pump. But, will it last?
Prices at the pump are plummeting as more people are staying home during the COVID-19 crisis. That’s good news for drivers and for the state when it comes to protecting public health. But, the lower gas consumption could carry long-term impacts for Pennsylvania when it comes to collecting the gas tax, which funds infrastructure and state police services.
Coronavirus restrictions drive down traffic
Welcome to another consequence of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic – traffic on major roadways throughout the five-county Times News region is down significantly.
The Pa. Turnpike is seeing less traffic; it could cause big problems statewide
With fewer drivers, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is generating a lot less money from tolls. From March 22 through April 18, the turnpike commission has seen a 50 percent drop in revenue from tolls.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 16
Leadfoot or lightfoot, driving the open roads in a pandemic
The best way to drive safely during the pandemic is not to drive at all. But if you have to travel, several experts offered tips on how to make sure you and your loved ones get there and back safely.
Pa. Turnpike considers cutting capital budget projects, transit payments
The Pennsylvania Turnpike has experienced such sharp declines in traffic and revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that the agency is reviewing all of its expenses, including its 10-year, $5.9 billion capital improvement plans and its $450 million annual payments to the state to help pay for public transit.
Road construction in Johnstown considered ‘critical work,’ crews take extra precautions
PennDOT officials say certain construction projects are still being worked because of safety issues that need to be addressed. They are calling these projects, critical work. The Franklin Street Project is in this category.
Many road construction projects curbed due to coronavirus
The opening of the Tilghman Street Bridge was supposed to happen in June of next year. But now the nearly $22 million project, as well as many other projects, will most likely be delayed as the coronavirus has thrown a construction curveball.
Breaking down the state DOT $50B backstop
Moves by state governments to slash their budgets in the face of COVID-19 pandemic-induced revenue declines re-emphasized the need for a nearly $50 billion federally-funded fiscal “backstop,” according to analysis by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Feds award $239 million to 63 Pa. airports to help in financial recovery from coronavirus pandemic
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration is awarding $239.2 million in airport aid to commonwealth airports.
Construction curveball: Pandemic causes PennDOT, contractors to change road work protocols
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and some contractors have been collaborating for decades, using their knowledge and experience to develop working relationships and common practices at construction sites.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 15
Traffic drop from stay-at-home orders could imperil road projects
While that makes it easier to patch potholes, it also could spell trouble for road and bridge projects. The longer motorists remain off the roads, the harder it will be for states to afford repairs in the months and years ahead.
Transportation Secretary Chao announces $25 billion to help public transportation
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced a total of $25 billion in federal funding allocations to help the nation’s public transportation systems respond to the coronavirus.
AASHTO asks congress for $50B fiscal backstop for state DOTs
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials sent a letter to congressional leadership on April 6 requesting the immediate emergency injection of $49.95 billion to offset an estimated 30% loss in state transportation revenues over the next 18 months.
Construction companies in Pennsylvania cautiously return to work
As critical highway and bridge projects across the state resume, Navarro & Wright Consulting Engineering Inc. is one of the companies that received a green light to start.
State Police: 76 percent decline in traffic volume on turnpike
It’s no secret there are fewer cars on the road with many of you staying home– and State Police say they have the data to support the decline.
PennDOT reopens additional roadside rest areas
PennDOT is reopening indoor facilities at five additional rest areas statewide. Rest areas were temporarily closed statewide on March 17 in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s mitigation guidance regarding COVID-19 to ensure that proper safety and sanitation protocols were in place. Twenty-eight select rest areas across Pennsylvania have since reopened.
