Dear KTFC Members & Friends:
Last month, Governor Wolf announced that 27 highway, bridge, public transportation, and bike and pedestrian projects across the Commonwealth were selected for $30.2 million in funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund.
This week we focus on some multimodal projects that don’t always get much attention, although they are very important to people with disabilities or who are older.
Those of us who may have lost a step and may not see or hear as clearly as we once did are thankful. Many of the multimodal projects that became part of Act 89 of 2013 let people know when it’s safe to cross streets and makes streets more accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists and public transportation vehicles.
I always felt that “transportation” is much more than just driving or riding a bus or train. It’s about mobility – in all modes. As we face new transportation funding challenges, it’s good to remember that we have made progress.
Be of Good Cheer,
— The Wolff
TRANSPORTATION ISSUE UPDATE
- Here are the projects that are receiving Multimodal Transportation funding in the current round of awards.
- SEPTA is introducing social distancing coaches to help promote mask-wearing compliance and social distancing.
- PennDOT’s Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports and Waterways has opened the application period for the 2020 Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and the Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP), Secretary Yassmin Gramian said today.
- The coronavirus pandemic upended commuting patterns in the Pittsburgh region. In the early months of Pennsylvania’s shutdown, traffic dropped by as much as 50 percent in Allegheny County, according to Streetlight Data. On average, PennDOT officials say vehicular traffic remains about 20 percent lower than normal.
- A report from the Mineta Transportation Institute found that nearly half of all Americans support a mileage fee and that 75 percent of Americans support a gas tax increase if the money is used on maintenance projects.
- People who rely on mass transit are concerned because their means to get around – as well as their jobs – could be in danger if critical funding isn’t provided quickly.
- The Wolf administration is projecting gas tax revenue could decline as much as $800 million over the next 18 months.