PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8, No. 38
PennDOT awards bid for CSVT project
PennDOT recently awarded the second construction contract of the southern section of the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project. Walsh Construction Company II from Chicago had the lowest bid at $106.4 million. Two other bids were submitted.
PennDOT, Norfolk Southern finalize western Pa. passenger-rail access pact
PennDOT recently finalized an agreement with Norfolk Southern Corp. to expand passenger rail service on the Pennsylvanian Amtrak line in western Pennsylvania.
University Park Airport awarded $5.45 million in federal funding
University Park Airport will receive $5.45 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for an ongoing infrastructure project. The grant from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program will be used for the next phase of a multi-year taxiway rehabilitation project at the airport.
2 Philly airports receive millions to upgrade taxiways, cut emissions
Two Philadelphia airports are receiving millions of dollars in new federal funding to upgrade taxiways and reduce emissions. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Airport Improvement Program. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will get about $23.7 million, while Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) will receive around $2.8 million, four Pennsylvania Congress members said Thursday.
PennDOT announces EV charging station funds
PennDOT has announced additional conditional awards for Round 1 of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding. These awards further the Shapiro administration’s work to address climate change, grow the Commonwealth’s economy and ensure that the future of Pennsylvania transportation is on track to be cleaner, safer, more affordable and more reliable than ever before.
Committee OKs public transportation modernization bill
The state Senate Transportation Committee reported to the full Senate legislation that would modernize the management of Pennsylvania’s public transportation systems, said bill sponsor, Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49).
PennDOT reopens collapsed Lackawanna Co. bridge ahead of schedule
PennDOT has reopened the collapsed bridge on Route 4036 (Falls Road) in Newton Township ahead of schedule. PennDOT led the effort, getting the work done in less than two weeks.
Data shows Pa. roundabouts reducing fatalities, injuries and crashes
PennDOT announced that according to department data, fatalities, injuries and crashes decreased overall after intersections at 39 locations were replaced with 42 roundabouts.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8, No. 37
Pa. work zone speed camera program could become permanent
Officials with PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission are hoping to see a pilot program that allows automated speed cameras to record speeding violations in work zones to be extended.
Business, local leaders celebrate start of Bayfront Parkway project
The $111.7 million Bayfront Parkway Central Corridor Improvement Construction Project will improve traffic flow and make the waterfront more accessible from downtown Erie, allowing the city to take advantage of one of its key assets for tourism and economic development.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8, No. 36
EV, hybrids sales increase as gas-powered vehicle sales decrease
According to a new report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, sales of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles make up 16 percent of light-duty vehicle sales across the country.
Deluzio pushes for passage of rail safety legislation
U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-17th District, on Friday called for Congress to move forward with legislation he introduced in March that would tighten regulations and penalties for railroads. Deluzio and Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., introduced the legislation in the aftermath of the February Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Neilson: PA needs new ideas for funding transportation
The following opinion column comes from state Rep. Ed Neilson (D-Philadelphia), chair of the state House Transportation committee.
LVPC seeking public comment for $4.39 billion long-range transportation plan
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is seeking public comment on its $4 billion Long-Range Transportation Plan. The commission has scheduled several meetings to inform the public about the plan. Comment will be accepted through Oct. 6.
Pa. General Fund revenue for August below expectations
Along with General Fund collections, the Motor License Fund was $8.6 million below estimate at $282.9 million for the month. Fiscal year-to-date collections for the fund, including gas and diesel taxes together with other license, fine and fee revenues, were $554.9 million, $10.2 million less than anticipated.
PA State Police issue Labor Day enforcement stats
Pennsylvania State Police troopers investigated a total of 671 crashes statewide over the four-day Labor Day weekend, according to data released by the agency this week. There was a total of 10 fatalities and 220 injuries, according to State Police. Alcohol was determined to be a factor in 61 non-fatal and two fatal crashes during the four-day travel holiday, the agency said.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8. No. 35
State Police subsidy to be phased out
Speaking as a highway builder, we are thrilled to have finally persuaded lawmakers to halt the practice of subsidizing the state police with motor license fund money that was intended to be used for building and maintaining roads and bridges.
The story behind E-Z Pass, the rules are not the same in every state
E-ZPass is a convenience for anyone traveling the toll roads, but depending on where someone drives, they might be better off buying an EZPass from another state.
Pa. awards $2.9 million for switch to zero or low-emission vehicles
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded $2.9 million in 2022 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant funding to municipalities, schools, and businesses around the state to switch to zero- or low-emission vehicles.
Changes proposed for Pa. driver’s licenses, plates
A Pennsylvania lawmaker is renewing a push to create digital driver’s licenses, identifications, and license plates. State Sen. Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne) says he plans to introduce a package of legislation labeled “Driving PA Forward” that “collects some of the lowest hanging fruits and ones that are most likely to result in positive and direct change to our constituents.”
Pa. needs to do more to bring its energy to market
Pennsylvania has the potential to be the global leader in the production and export of clean energy sources, but all the pieces are not currently in place to accomplish that status.
Timeline revealed for the I-95 rebuild project
Crews are now moving into a new phase of work after they installed 100-foot beams to hold the bridges on the north and southbound sides of the highway this week. Eight beams were installed, and eight more will be put in place this coming month, according to PennDOT
PennDOT’s $148.9 million revamp of I-80 bridges sparks concern
PennDOT held a public information meeting about a $148.9 million project to stop further degradation of the I-80 Lehigh River bridges that cross Carbon and Luzerne counties.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8, No. 34
Better road to pay for state police
Debates over unresolved elements of the state government’s new $44.45 billion budget – including more than $600 million for four state-affiliated universities’ in-state tuition discounts; $100 million in “Level Up” funding for poor school districts; and more – have obscured significant progress ensured by the completed parts of the budget.
Turnpike commission announces location of Route 130 interchange
A turnpike interchange will be installed near the intersection of Nike Site Road, Sandy Hill Road, Pleasant Valley Road and Route 130 in Penn Township, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced.
PA invests nearly $50 million for 58 transportation projects
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that his administration will fund 58 highway, bridge, aviation, ports and bike and pedestrian projects in 37 counties using $49.6 million in funding from the Multimodal Transportation Fund, which provides grant funding to ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to all Pennsylvanians.
