I believe we’re all glad to finally be putting the General Election behind us, and it is comforting to hear conciliatory comments from both candidates, as well as their surrogates. The political turmoil we’ve observed in recent years have made for a long healing process ahead. That would have been the case regardless of which candidate won.
President-elect Trump and Secretary Clinton both listed transportation among their top priorities, to create jobs and provide a 21st Century transportation infrastructure that can help us maximize our economic potential. As readers of this newsletter know, the Coalition has been pushing hard for a sustainable federal funding solution. Perhaps that will soon be within our grasp.
Be of Good Cheer,
— The Wolff
Transportation Issue Update
- Act 89 was all about improving safety and relieving congestion. Now it’s northwest Pennsylvania that is benefiting from safety improvements aimed at preventing head-on, sideswipe, and run-off-the-road crashes.
- Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill that gives the state the authority to place liens against the registration of vehicles that have a half dozen or more unpaid Turnpike tolls or more than $500 in outstanding bills. That means the registration can’t be renewed and the vehicle can’t be sold until the tolls are paid.
- He also signed a measure allowing ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft to operate throughout Pennsylvania. They had not been permitted to operate fully in Philadelphia until now.
- SEPTA’s weeklong strike was settled in time to return to full service by the time polls opened on Election Day.
- Researchers at Penn State, in collaboration with the PennDOT, are exploring ways to improve bridges in the Commonwealth.
- Cambria County commissioners say they support expanded passenger rail service between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, noting that expansion would enable Johnstown-area residents to commute to either city.
- As part of a larger statewide project, the Westmoreland County Transit Authority has announced its intention to convert its entire bus fleet to compressed natural gas.