PHIA News Digest – Vol. 7, No. 6
PA crash deaths spiked in 2021 amid pandemic
Dangerous driving habits developed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to make the nation’s highways more deadly in the first nine months of 2021, the government projected this week.
Industry associations call for end to shifting of road funds
ACPA/PA Chapter, ACEC/PA, APC, CAEP, CAWP, PACA, PAPA, and PennGCC once again are calling on Governor Wolf to permanently move the entire Motor License Fund portion of the State Police budget back to the General Fund. (FY 2023 – $641.39 million) and to use Motor Vehicle License Fund revenues to fund PennDOT’s pay-as-you-go capital program and/or as debt service retirement.
PennDOT discusses bridge safety, inspections after Pittsburgh collapse
Pennsylvania has the second-most bridges rated “poor” out of any state in the country. There are nearly 500 bridges in the Midstate are in that category and PennDOT says not to worry.
Wolf administration announces $246 million investment at Port of Philadelphia
Governor Tom Wolf today announced a $246 million state investment into the Port of Philadelphia to continue modernization efforts and improve regional economic stability. This funding builds upon the Governor’s comprehensive $300 million Capital Investment Program at the Port of Philadelphia announced in 2016.
Over $230 million coming to Pa. for public transportation projects
U.S Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced Friday morning over $230 million in funding for public transportation projects.
Safe, reliable, and affordable transit is the fastest route to an equitable society
Here in Pennsylvania, and across the country, transit riders, community organizations, environmental justice groups, and unions are spreading the message that public transit is not only foundational to our economies and communities, but is also a civil right.
Pennsylvania gas tax: Is the money going where it should?
Pennsylvania has one of the highest gas taxes in the country. It brings in billions of dollars a year, but there’s concern from the state that it’s not enough.
New Downingtown train station project gets 2025 start date
PennDOT will construct a new station about a quarter-mile south of Lancaster Avenue on Brandywine Avenue/Route 322. It will replace the existing West Lancaster Avenue station located about a half-mile to the west.
Container volumes surge at PhilaPort in 2021
In 2021, the port processed a total of 739,323 TEU, an increase of 15 per cent compared to 640,799 TEU in 2020. Both imports and exports grew significantly in the year, rising 16 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.
PennDOT to reinspect bridges with similar design as Fern Hollow Bridge
PennDOT officials said Tuesday they plan to reinspect five bridges in Pennsylvania that have similar designs as the collapsed Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh.
PennDOT will foot the bill to replace the Fern Hollow Bridge
Pennsylvania will pay $23.5 million to replace the collapsed Fern Hollow Bridge, officials at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission announced Monday afternoon. Even as they welcomed the news, many noted that the process to fund needed infrastructure repairs has historically taken much longer, and shouldn’t.
Diversions and limits show Pa. needs more to fix bridges and roads than pricey gas tax
As the investigation continues into the collapse of the fern hollow bridge in Pittsburgh, it’s raising questions about how money has been raised and spent to support bridges and roads in Pennsylvania.
Bridge collapse highlights Pa.’s infrastructure problems
The state has more than 3,000 bridges in poor repair. Federal funds will provide significant support for tackling the problem, but Pennsylvania’s transportation and transit woes run deep.
