Our friends in the highway construction business received a bit of welcome news this week by way of an update on this year’s construction season.
Thanks to a $279 million infusion in American Rescue Act funds, PennDOT is on target to spend just over $2 billion on construction projects this calendar year. Without those federal funds, this year’s project lettings would have dropped to a level not seen for many years.
That said, there remains a significant gap between construction resources and needs, in Pennsylvania and across the country. The industry – not to mention the public in general – is hopeful that the bipartisan infrastructure funding measure approved by the U.S. Senate will receive House approval soon and a signature from President Biden.
Our Coalition has stepped up with an impressive advocacy campaign. Many thanks to those of you who have been part of the effort. Keep up the good work!
Be of Good Cheer,
— The Wolff
TRANSPORTATION ISSUE UPDATE
- Which of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties boasts the most and the least linear highway miles? This article tells you everything you want to know
- Lebanon County Commissioners have approved by a 2-1 vote providing its share of Phase 6C funding in the amount of $800,000 for the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail expansion project.
- PennDOT’s Office of Public-Private Partnerships announced it is accepting unsolicited proposals for transportation projects from the private sector through Oct. 31.
- A larger than expected crowd showed up on bicycles, rollerblades, on foot, and even unicycles to explore the newly constructed highway at the Southern Beltway Community event Saturday. The 13-mile highway connects Route 22 with Interstate 79 along the Allegheny-Washington County line near the Pittsburgh International Airport.
- PennDOT has announced the official completion of the Route 322/Potters Mills Gap project near the village of Potters Mills. The completed project alleviates congestion and allows traffic to move more safely and efficiently from the Centre/Mifflin County line to Potters Mills.