PennDOT Bids $204 Million in Projects in March
The state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) bid just over $204 million in projects in March bringing the year-to-date total to slightly over $336 million. At this same point in 2011, PennDOT had bid just over $400 million.
PennDOT made a 2012 construction year forecast at $1.5 billion due to a decrease in state funding and stagnant federal funding. For perspective, a $1.5 billion letting program was the same volume as in 2006. For more information regarding the department’s forecast you can view Dep. Secretary Scott Christie’s presentation at the annual APC Fall Seminar by going here. In 2011, PennDOT ended the year with $1.8 billion in lettings.
It is important to note that just a few years ago, PennDOT’s 2009 lettings were $2.8 billion due to the billion dollars in economic stimulus funds, which have been completely spent.
To view the full report and year comparisons, click the link below.
*The report lists the total contracts awarded at each letting date, a comparison to the same period in the previous calendar year, and letting adjustments made since the previous month. PHIA staff will track PennDOT lettings throughout the year and provide monthly updates.
The cost of doing nothing
PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch frequently points out that there are costs for NOT addressing transportation funding needs. A new U.S. Treasury report says traffic congestion wastes 1.9 billion gallons of gasoline per year. Additionally, the report says, poor road conditions cost the average urban motorist an additional $400 per year in vehicle maintenance. For a news account of the report, click here.
Washington drops transportation funding ball again
Events in Washington the last two weeks provide further evidence of the need for states to take transportation funding needs into their own hands.
Last week, Republicans in the U.S. House succeeded in killing a Senate-passed $109 billion, two-year measure that would have supported nearly 3 million jobs. The Senate bill passed by a 74-22 vote with bipartisan sponsorship and support.
Instead, House Republicans introduced legislation to continue funding at its current level for 90 days. If such a measure were approved, it would make the ninth extension since the most recent multi-year federal funding bill expired more than two years ago. Read more
Shuster to be Keynote Speaker at Annual Conference
United States Congressman Bill Shuster will be the Keynote Speaker at PHIA’s Annual Transportation Conference, which is scheduled for April 3, 2012, at the Hilton Harrisburg. Shuster is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This subcommittee is one of the most important transportation subcommittees in the House due to its jurisdiction over everything involving rail transportation, from AMTRAK passenger to freight and cargo rail, employee contracts, and rail security.
At the conference, Shuster will discuss the status of the federal transportation reauthorization bill and his role as one of the chief negotiators of the House proposal.
Shuster was first elected in 2001 and represents much of south-central Pennsylvania. He resides in Hollidaysburg, Pa.
Anti-texting law goes into effect
PHIA has been serving highway users for over 50 years. Therefore, we feel it’s important to pass along this important information affecting all drivers.
Pennsylvania’s NEW anti-texting law goes into effect Thursday, March 8. Of nearly 14,000 crashes involving distracted driving in Pennsylvania in 2010, one in eight involved a driver using a hand-held phone.
Violators of the new law could face a $50 fine. For a fact sheet that summarizes the new law, click here.
