News from the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority provides a good opportunity to remind ourselves of the multimodal nature of our transportation system.
The port handled nearly 16 percent more breakbulk tonnage last year compared with 2014, surpassing more than 6 million tons of cargo handled. It was the sixth consecutive year of growth at the port, for a cumulative increase in tonnage of 68 percent during that time.
The port’s future looks even brighter as the Delaware channel deepening project progresses, and the PRPA considers proposals for development of the Southport area.
Materials, goods and people that move from Point A to Point B anywhere in our commonwealth do so through a single, integrated transportation system, and our ports, in particular, illustrate that the system benefits all Pennsylvanians, from Abbottstown to Zelienople.
Transportation Issue Update
- The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority reported a nearly 16 percent increase in breakbulk cargo handling last year. The port handled more than 6 million tons of cargo last year.
- Leslie Richards reflected on her first year as PennDOT secretary in a Philly.com feature article.
- As Act 89 brings an increasing number of highway repair projects, PennDOT’s outreach efforts are helping to ensure that the public has input into the timing and scope of construction activities.
- Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in an op-ed article, bemoaned the longtime neglect of infrastructure maintenance in the wake of recent problems with Washington’s Metro rail system.
- The York area will become the latest to enjoy the benefits of adaptive traffic signals, which help to reduce traffic congestion at a much lower cost than building more highway capacity.
- Pennsylvania last year continued a trend of lower numbers of traffic fatalities, with only five more than were recorded the previous year. Highway improvements, education and traffic law enforcement were cited as reasons.
- Lancaster Newspapers became the latest to weigh in on the increasing revenue being diverted from the Motor License Fund to pay for State Police operations. The editorial urges passage of legislation that would require municipalities without local police coverage to pay for coverage from the State Police.
- April 30 is the deadline for submissions in the current round of unsolicited Public Private Partnership proposals. The P3 board examines all project submissions and PennDOT accepts unsolicited proposals in April and October