PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 51
Transportation funding would benefit region
One need not like projected President-elect Joe Biden or the incoming chief executive’s choice for U.S. transportation secretary to recognize a possible major opportunity for Pennsylvania, including this part of the commonwealth.
Financially stressed PennDOT should get $410M from new bill
Pennsylvania will benefit from a new target of funding in the federal stimulus package approved Dec. 21: state departments of transportation, where financially beleaguered PennDOT is expected to receive $410.1 million.
Cameras at Pa. construction sites nab nearly 192,000 violators in eight months
The 17 white Jeep Grand Cherokees are parked along road construction sites on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and state roads from Route 476 in Lehigh County to Route 28 in Allegheny County.
Pa. holds off joining regional program to cap emissions from cars, trucks
The Transportation & Climate Initiative aims to reduce emissions but also carried the likelihood of higher gas prices at the pump in participating states. Other governors also opted against signing onto the initiative. But Wolf’s move isn’t necessarily a permanent rejection of the concept.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 50
Biden to pick former rival Pete Buttigieg as transportation chief
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to pick former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg to head the transportation department, according to three people familiar with the plans.
After 5 years, the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway bridge is ‘basically’ completed
It has taken five years but the nearly mile-long Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River is “basically” completed.
Sens. Muth, Williams to introduce legislation to provide funding for transportation projects
State Sens. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) and Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) announced plans to introduce legislation that would authorize PennDOT to borrow funding to continue ongoing large construction projects statewide.
Address transportation funding
Are we eager for the prospect of being hit with tolls all over the state? No. But the very proposal should spur serious conversations about finding better ways of addressing transportation funding, once and for all. There’s no more time to wait.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 49
Pa. road deaths kept climbing even as millions stayed home
Despite a dramatic decrease in driving brought on by the pandemic this year, more people are dying on Pennsylvania roads than in 2019. And a Morning Call review of road fatalities in the Lehigh Valley suggests the trend may have been worse here.
PennDOT issues one millionth REAL ID
PennDOT on Friday announced it has issued its one millionth REAL ID product. The milestone is considered a major step toward providing REAL ID-compliant products to customers.
Report forecasts modest declines in 2021 construction market
The U.S. transportation construction market is expected to shrink 5.5% next year, driven primarily by the severe economic recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the annual forecast released Dec. 10 by the Washington, D.C.-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
Funds earmarked for Pa.’s U.S. 219 roadway expansion study
Pennsylvania state officials said the Appalachian Program Development has earmarked $6 million in federal funding to aid the resumption of environmental studies regarding the U.S. 219 expansion.
Governor announces 13 municipalities will receive enforcement funds
Governor Tom Wolf announced that PennDOT will distribute $8.2 million in Automated Red Light Enforcement funding to 13 municipalities statewide to fund 16 safety projects.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 48
Pa. lawmakers must once again face transportation funding woes this winter
Hundreds of road and bridge projects across Pennsylvania are temporarily funded until early winter on short-term debt as lawmakers negotiate a fix for a pandemic-linked budget gap that shows the holes in Pennsylvania’s transportation funding.
PennDOT extends expiration dates on commercial driver licenses, commercial learner’s permits
PennDOT announced Wednesday that expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Electric-powered trucks rule, vehicle fee passes Pa. Senate
A bill continuing to move through the Pennsylvania General Assembly would add the Pennsylvania to the list of states adopting federal weight exemption for electric-powered trucks. A separate provision would tap certain alternative fuel vehicle owners for more money.
Work on Pa.’s road, bridge projects given the green light to continue for now
A last-minute agreement between Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders has averted the need for hundreds of road and bridge projects across the commonwealth to shut down on Tuesday.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 47
Hiding the symptoms
So, from the front-page article in the Nov. 25 Daily Item, it appears many of our Harrisburg politicians are now very upset and angry at PennDOT for not giving them more warning about running out of money for road and bridge projects by Dec. 1.
Biden mulling Rahm Emanuel for transportation chief, report says
Democrat Joe Biden is strongly considering Rahm Emanuel’s candidacy for the head of the Department of Transportation, an Axios report said on Sunday.
Mass layoffs loom as PennDOT funding comes up $600M short
There’s been no word yet from Harrisburg on possible state legislative action to address a funding shortfall from PennDOT that could lead to layoffs as early as this week.
State Police, PennDOT launch holiday driving initiatives
The Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT launched Operation Safe Holiday to remind motorists of the importance of safe driving and consistent seat belt use during the holiday season.
