PHIA News Digest – Vol. 4, No. 29
Ever-rising turnpike tax
This is the 12th consecutive year of toll increases and, this time, it is 6% across the board for E-ZPass and cash customers alike.
Mid-year update on PennDOT road and bridge construction progress
Through June 30, PennDOT crews have improved more than 800 miles of roadway and rehabilitated or replaced 27 bridges statewide this year. In the same timeframe, 372 construction contracts for highway, bridge, and other improvement projects were issued statewide to PennDOT’s private-sector partners.
Wilkes-Barre interested in Philly rail service
The city is interested in starting passenger rail service to Philadelphia to boost economic development and improve the quality of life in the region.
Gas tax drop has state looking for answers
The Motor License Fund — which includes gas tax and revenue from license renewals and fees — ended 2018-19 almost $58 million below what the state had projected for the year, according to the Department of Revenue.
Officials tested how many drivers respected pedestrians in crosswalks in Bethlehem
The law gives the right-of-way to pedestrians in these cases; drivers need to wait for pedestrians to pass in front of them before moving along. But they frequently don’t.
Pa. Turnpike tolls to rise 6 percent in 2020
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a 6% increase at a meeting Tuesday. The toll increases apply to E-ZPass, cash and Toll-By-Plate passenger and commercial systems across the entire turnpike. In most places on the turnpike system, the new rates will go into effect in January 2020.
