PHIA News Digest – Vol. 6, No. 19
Report: free ride soon over for PA electric vehicle owners
Pennsylvania could get rid of the gas tax, but drivers would still pay to hit the road. The commonwealth is joined by 16 other states as members of the Eastern Transportation Coalition, formerly known as the I-95 Corridor Coalition, a group looking at replacing the gas tax with a mileage fee.
New study shows EV expansion could significantly reduce pollution
Transportation made up 24% of greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania in 2017. Most of those were produced by light-duty vehicles such as cars, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks. Continuing the same usage trends may make it difficult for Pennsylvania to reach its greenhouse gas reduction goals by 2050, but a new study shows that joining a zero-emissions vehicle program could help the state meet its climate goals.
Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg drops by Pittsburgh
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was in Pittsburgh Thursday, touring our bridges as part of the Biden administration’s work to gain support for the American Jobs Plan.
Radar would better protect citizens
As the Logan Township chief of police, I testified four times before the Pennsylvania Transportation Committees regarding the use of radar by local police departments that would help protect our citizens.
Pa. joins 16 other states considering mileage fee to replace gas tax
The commonwealth is joined by 16 other states as members of the Eastern Transportation Coalition, formerly known as the I-95 Corridor Coalition, a group looking at replacing the gas tax with a mileage fee.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 6, No. 18
Mask mandate for air travel, public transportation extended through Sept. 13
Travelers will be required to wear face masks inside airports and on planes, buses and trains through Sept. 13.
Harrisburg to New York City in 24 minutes? Hyperloop advocates say it’s possible
It’s faster than the fastest train. The technology is more similar to the vacuum tube that takes a check from alongside a car to a teller at a bank drive-through window. But will hyperloop, as it’s known, ever really transport people?
State panel explores alternatives to bridge tolls and gas taxes
The commission, set to issue a report in August, is studying other ways to even a gap of $9 billion between what Pennsylvania takes in and what it needs to fix roads and bridges.
PennDOT shares draft transportation funding study
PennDOT is hosting an on-demand virtual public meeting and comment period for a Planning and Environmental Linkages study exploring sustainable transportation funding options. The public meeting is accessible online at all hours of the day through June 1, 2021, at www.penndot.gov/funding.
Pennsylvania releases automated vehicles survey
PennDOT recently launched a survey on behalf of Pennsylvania’s Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee. Results will be used to gain an understanding of residents’ thoughts on automated vehicles.
REAL ID enforcement deadline pushed back to 2023
The Department of Homeland Security says the REAL ID full enforcement date is moving from Oct. 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023. DHS says the pandemic has significantly impacted states’ abilities to issue Real IDs.
Pa. bill would mandate hands-free cellphone use
As a parent and legislator, I have strived to continue shedding light on the importance of roadway safety, especially distracted driving, not only to my children but to all Pennsylvanians.
Pa. Senate OKs bill to halt plans to toll bridges
Republicans in Pennsylvania’s Senate are trying to make Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration start over on its plans to toll up to nine major bridges, approving a bill Tuesday to require the state Department of Transportation to undergo a new process that includes approval from the legislature.
Pa.’s infrastructure in need of an upgrade?
The need to improve, upgrade and modernize the nation’s infrastructure is an issue that most Americans and elected officials from both parties can agree on.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 6, No. 17
State senator pushes PennDOT on plans for tolling bridges
A Pennsylvania state senator pushed PennDOT for answers on plans to toll nine bridges across the state during the Senate budget hearing.
Pa. Turnpike meeting expectations with toll-by-plate method
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says it’s on track with its expectations after initiating toll-by-plate 10 months ago. But E-ZPass is still the preferred method, and only about 15% of its customers use toll-by-plate.
Don’t Zoom and drive
Video conferencing has grown over the past year as more and more people started working from home. As things started opening up, you may have found yourself driving while on a Zoom call.
Citing increased litter, PennDOT and state police warn of penalties
Citing increased reports of rubbish on the sides of area roads, officials from the state police and state Department of Transportation met Friday at PennDOT’s district office in Dunmore to issue a warning to those who would toss their garbage out of the window: it could cost you time and money.
PennDOT speed enforcement leading to more tickets on I-79
PennDOT officials said they’ve issued more than 20,000 citations on one stretch of I-79 near the southern beltway project thanks to new technology that can catch more than one driver going too fast.
Traffic fatalities in 2020 second-lowest on record
While the number of traffic deaths increased in 2020 to 1,129 from a record low of 1,059 in 2019, last year was the second-lowest number of highway fatalities recorded, according to PennDOT.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 6, No. 16
Gov. Wolf announces 43 multimodal projects
Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that 43 highway, bridge, rail, and bike and pedestrian projects in 21 counties were selected for $45.9 million in funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund.
Houlahan: Infrastructure plan will bring good jobs to Chester County
U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) on Friday called for robust infrastructure funding for her community and the Commonwealth of PA to be included in this year’s surface transportation spending package.
Southern Beltway close to opening
The first major highway to be added to the Pittsburgh driving landscape since the Parkway North opened in 1989 is just around the curve. Conceived in the 1980s and in the works since 1991, the Southern Beltway is just a few months from opening.
Pa. gets C-minus for infrastructure as Biden makes pitch
Pennsylvania’s 7,540 miles of highway roads are in poor condition. Florida has seen $100 billion in damages over the last decade from extreme weather events. There are 1 in 4 Idahoans with no access to broadband internet, and 1 in 2 living in areas with too-few licensed child care centers.
Pa. trucking torn between tax hike and smooth roads
A bipartisan congressional delegation was scheduled to travel up impeccably paved Pennsylvania Avenue from Capitol Hill to the White House Monday for the first official discussions on the Biden administration’s already controversial infrastructure plan.
Committee advances safe driving bill
The House Transportation Committee recently advanced legislation that would advocate for roadway safety and responsible driving practices.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 6, No. 15
America’s infrastructure needs: Too big to solve?
The lesson is clear: Funding for roads and bridges historically has not been about roads and bridges. President Biden appears to be following this tradition. His $2.25 trillion infrastructure plan targets only about 6 percent to fixing our highway and bridge infrastructure, while “dedicated” funds in the Highway Trust Fund, funded by the federal gas tax, will not change.
PennDOT accepting unsolicited P-3 proposals
The PennDOT Office of Public-Private Partnerships announced that it is accepting unsolicited proposals for transportation projects from the private sector through April 30.
