PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8, No. 8
How the federal government can help solve PA’s infrastructure problems
The Commonwealth’s infrastructure problems go back even further than that, having been a significant concern during my time representing Pennsylvania on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure more than a decade ago. This lack of infrastructure progress is affecting Pennsylvania’s consumer welfare, economic growth, and job creation.
PennDOT District 11 executive named executive deputy secretary of PennDOT
Cheryl Moon-Sirianni, who replaced Dan Cessna in 2017, has been named the executive deputy secretary of PennDOT for the entire Commonwealth and she will take the position next week. This makes Moon-Sirianni the number two at PennDOT behind the transportation secretary.
Langerholc schedules public hearing
Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., chairman of the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee, announced his intentions to conduct a fact-finding public hearing on hazardous materials transported by rail in the state. The committee will hold the hearing on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol, North Office Building, Hearing Room 1.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8. No. 7
Legislation would modernize management of public transportation systems
The measure would modernize the management of public transportation systems with a proposal the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association supports. The proposal would include 13 measures to provide predictability in capital funding and increase local control in transit decisions.
Automated monitoring helps keep rail transportation project on track
The $54M design-build project—a collaboration of the Delaware Department of Transportation, PennDOT, Amtrak and SEPTA, includes construction of a new train station and parking center near the existing Amtrak rail line.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8, No. 6
PennDOT warns of letter over State College Area Connector
Pennsylvania’s transportation agency wagged its finger at one of the state’s top eminent domain attorneys, describing his letter to some property owners in the potential path of a major Centre County highway construction project as “intentionally misleading.”
Pa. highway survey announced by PennDOT
PennDOT has announced it is seeking the public’s input on traffic safety and driving practices through its online survey. The survey is on PennDOT’s website and is open through Feb. 28. All responses are anonymous and the survey should take around five minutes to complete.
Biden announces funding for major transportation projects
Continuing the progress implementing the Biden-Harris administration’s economic agenda, President Biden visited New York to announce funding for a critical early phase of the Hudson Tunnel project and Mega grants for other major infrastructure projects across the country.
CSVT removing traffic on Routes 15, 405
So far, CSVT is doing one of its jobs… A preliminary traffic study by PennDOT released Monday shows steady traffic reductions on Route 15 through Lewisburg and Route 405 into Northumberland.
Revenue Department releases January collections
In addition to the General Fund collections, the Motor License Fund received $222.2 million for the month, $2.1 million below estimate. Fiscal year-to-date collections for the fund – which include the commonly known gas and diesel taxes, as well as other license, fine and fee revenues – total $1.6 billion, which is $22.8 million, or 1.4 percent, above estimate.
USDOT announces $800 million in roadway safety projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will send more than $800 million to various cities and municipalities across the country to improve roadway safety. The announcement comes after new numbers show the traffic deaths in our country are still near record highs.
Construction of the “Twin Bridges” is underway
The I-84 Twin Bridges project near Dunmore, is PennDOT’s largest undertaking right now. This project includes the replacement of two mainline bridges, and the reconfiguration of one left-hand exit to make it more conventional with a right-hand exit.
Pgh. closes Oakland bridge to car traffic after failing safety analysis
The Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge in Oakland is being closed to vehicle traffic effective immediately. Walkers and bikers will not be affected. The City of Pittsburgh says a new analysis of the bridge makes it unsafe for traffic until repairs can be made. The project will take at least four months and cost $1 to $2 million.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8, No. 5
Editorial: The ticking clocks of Pa. poor bridges
For the people on the Fern Hollow Bridge on Jan. 28, 2022, the unthinkable happened in a heartbeat.
Philadelphia among worst traffic cities in nation
Philadelphia ranked in the top five among the worst traffic cities in the United States, according to the Global Traffic Scorecard recently published by INRIX, a data and analytics firm that specializes in transportation.
Roosevelt Boulevard SEPTA line not feasible with current funding
A proposed route along Roosevelt Boulevard, the idea for which was first floated more than a century ago, isn’t currently financially feasible, said SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards.
Efforts to bring passenger rail back to NEPA keep chugging along
Northeastern Pennsylvania residents and officials are trying to be the Little Community That Could in bringing passenger rail back to the region.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 8, No. 4
Allegheny Tunnel bypass plans advance
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is moving forward with a controversial project to construct 3.8 miles of roadway, cutting through the mountaintop, to eliminate the highway’s Allegheny Tunnel.
PennDOT to unveil plan to widen section of I-81
PennDOT is taking the next step in a project to widen the busiest stretch of Interstate 81 in part of Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. The state will unveil its preliminary plans to widen I-81 between the Avoca exit (178) to the Biden Expressway (185) at a meeting next month.
$1.3B expansion of Mon-Fayette Expressway to begin soon
A $1.3 billion expansion project of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Mon-Fayette Expressway between Route 51 and Interstate 376 is expected to get underway soon, according to the Turnpike Commission.
First Active Erie bikeways will be along Greengarden, French Street
The bikeways will be the first of 12 recommended in the Active Erie Transportation Plan approved by Erie City Council in February 2021. The plan proposes safe pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, generally along streets with lower traffic volume and lower speed limits than main thoroughfares.
