PHIA News Digest – Vol. 4, No. 30
Study: Half of teens who die in Pa. crashes aren’t wearing a seat belt
More than half of teens who died in crashes in 2016 were not wearing a seat belt. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says seat belt use is the most important factor in preventing death.
Pennsylvania needs a transportation-funding fix
Pennsylvania gets a big chunk of its transportation money from the feds. The feds want more of that cash to go the 1,300 miles of interstate highways in Pennsylvania. That means less for state roads and bridges.
Inclined Plane rehab grinds to halt; turnpike lawsuit delays state grant
A major rehabilitation of the Johnstown Inclined Plane has been put on hold by a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Pennsylvania Turnpike using technology to clear accident scenes quicker
In the year since the turnpike began using the app, the turnpike has seen the average delay for accidents and other incidents reduced from an hour and 46 minutes to 1:18.
4 drivers rack up more than $21,000 in unpaid tolls on Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is continuing to crack down on toll cheats. Authorities have charged four more drivers with theft for repeatedly dodging tolls at Pennsylvania Turnpike entrances in Bucks County.
$380 million in PennDOT funding cuts could triple the amount of time to complete roadwork
PennDOT is cutting the region’s transportation funding by $380 million over the next 12 years.
Harrisburg region to lose $27 million in transportation funding
Alexis Campbell wrote in an email that the state is losing $289 million in funding for metropolitan and rural planning organizations — groups that bring local officials together with state and federal agencies to track and budget for regional transportation projects — beginning in October of next year.
‘The time for kicking the can down the road is over’: House Republicans plan infrastructure report
With an eye on improving Pennsylvania’s crumbling bridges and pot-holed roads, Republicans who control the state House announced Monday they are starting a legislative infrastructure task force to look for solutions.
Fees on electric vehicles seem reasonable
Pennsylvania finds itself in a tricky position: Fees collected from the state’s gas tax are lower than previous years with trends pointing downward. In response, the state is eying possible legislation that would add a fee for hybrid or electric vehicles to offset the losses.
PennDOT seeks public input on highway safety through online survey
PennDOT is seeking motorists’ input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through its annual online Highway Safety Survey. The survey can be found at www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.
Pa. thruway bridge spanning Susquehanna won’t be ready for vehicles until 2022
The nearly mile-long Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway bridge across the West Branch of the Susquehanna River is to be completed in the fall of 2020 but only construction vehicles will be using it for two years.
