The Patriot News/PennLive had an interesting article this week featuring the largest road construction projects in each of PennDOT’s 11 districts. The article reinforced the idea that residents in every part of the Commonwealth are benefiting from Act 89 of 2013.
While there are some sizeable projects in progress, most of them pale in comparison with the $865 million Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway project in Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties.
The 10.8-mile highway bypass along the U.S. Route 15 corridor near Shamokin Dam has been designated as part of Corridor P-1 of the Appalachian Development Highway System. Current efforts center primarily on construction of the bridge over the western branch of the Susquehanna River near Northumberland, along with the southern section of the thruway, which had to be rerouted to avoid two fly ash basins.
The project began in 2015 and is expected to be completed in 2024. To view the article on PennLive, click here.
TRANSPORTATION ISSUE UPDATE
- Governor Wolf announced that PennDOT will distribute $15.4 million in Automated Red Light Enforcement funding to 38 municipalities statewide to fund 50 safety projects.
- TRIP, the national transportation research organization, released a study of Pennsylvania’s rural roads and bridges, noting that they have significant deficiencies and high fatality rates.
- SEPTA has approved a $2 billion spending plan for operations and capital projects, effective July 1. Fares will remain the same until 2021.
- Governing Magazine published an article noting that half of the nation’s mayors have expressed concerns about infrastructure, double the number from four years ago.
- Business leaders and communities across the country are expressing alarm that the bitter partisan impasse in Washington is paralyzing efforts to revamp the nation’s deteriorating and outdated infrastructure.
- State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, has introduced a bill that would require communities who rely strictly on State Police to pay a fee for the service.
- The Department of Homeland Security has notified PennDOT that its REAL ID program now meets federal standards, a year ahead of schedule.