-
Highway Capacity Issues Arise in Funding Discussions at the Federal and State Levels
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is urging Congress to adopt a transportation funding policy objective that would keep congestion and delays from worsening.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, in its 2006 report to Congress released last month, estimates that maintaining current bridge and road conditions would require $78.8 billion per year by all levels of government. USDOT acknowledges that it would require an additional $11 billion annually to keep congestion from becoming worse.
Most of the additional funding would be used to increase highway system capacity. ARTBA believes the policy objective should be part of the SAFETEA-LU reauthorization.
Capacity is also becoming part of the discussion in Pennsylvania as policymakers consider funding levels for the Commonwealth's highway system. While there appears to be consensus that the state requires an additional $965 million annually to bring our current roads and bridges up to acceptable standards, achieving this funding level would only provide for very limited increases in capacity.
"The first step should be to fix the existing highway system," said Ron Drnevich, Pennsylvania Highway Information Association president. "But the existing highway system is carrying far more traffic than it was designed to carry. The opportunity to comprehensively address highway-funding issues is not likely to occur again for years. Consequently, it makes sense to include capacity as part of the discussion regarding long-term solutions." - PHIA e-newsletter E-motion
- Gettysburg Park summer hours start; Cyclorama Building to reopen May 5
Gettysburg National Military Park has changed to its summer visiting hours, staying open to the public from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily, the National Park Service has announced. Summer visiting hours will continue through Oct. 31.
The park's Cyclorama building will reopen to the public on May 5 for the summer months. The building houses a bookstore, information desk, free films for the public, and displays. The building had been closed during the winter months due to the restoration of the Cyclorama painting, an 1884 painting of Pickett's Charge. The painting will remain closed to the public until it reopens in 2008 in the park's new Museum and Visitor Center.
The National Park Service is working with the Gettysburg Foundation to fully restore the Cyclorama painting, a three year effort that is the largest painting restoration effort ever undertaken in North America.
For more information about the Museum Foundation go to the website www.GettysburgFoundation.org , or visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/gett
- Transportation Committee website keeps Pennsylvanians informed
The State Senate Transportation Committee is unveiling a new website designed to keep Pennsylvanians informed about current transportation issues facing the legislature, according to Sen. Roger Madigan (R-23).
Sen. Madigan, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, said the new website contains up-to-date information including: transportation meeting and hearing agendas; testimonies from transportation experts; links to transportation-related legislation; and information about cutting edge transportation policy.
"Transportation issues affect every resident in Pennsylvania, whether it concerns a daily commute to work, a trip to the grocery store, or a bus ride on the public transit system. The Commonwealth is currently faced with several major issues revolving around the Transportation Committee such as the potential leasing of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the funding shortage for mass transit," said Madigan. "This new website will serve as a great resource to keep the public informed about the latest developments regarding important transportation issues in Pennsylvania."
The new website can be found by visiting www.SenatorMadigan.com and clicking on the "Chair Transportation Committee" link at the top left corner.
Sen. Madigan said that although the Senate Transportation Committee is one of the first committees to create its own website, others will likely launch their own websites in the near future.
- Bridge visit highlights Pennsylvania's transportation needs
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters joined Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler at a closed state highway bridge in Cumberland County recently to illustrate the pressing transportation needs facing Pennsylvania.
Secretaries Peters and Biehler visited the Locust Point Bridge over the
Yellow Breeches Creek near Mechanicsburg. The two-span bridge was closed in March 2005 because of concrete deterioration, and is not slated to bereplaced until 2011.
"This is one small example of the challenge we face in Pennsylvania,"
Secretary Biehler said. "Across the state, more than 5,900 bridges are structurally deficient. If those conditions are not addressed, what we see here is the consequence: a closed bridge that blocks people from getting to where they need to go."
Secretary Peters' visit to states was to discuss public private partnerships as a way to raise the resources needed to address highway and bridge needs. In his budget address to the legislature in February, Gov. Edward G. Rendell proposed exploring the possible lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to raise nearly $1 billion a year for backlogged highway and bridge repairs.
Moving that process forward, the governor announced on March 30 that the commonwealth selected Morgan Stanley & Co. to serve as principal financial advisor for the possible turnpike transaction. Morgan Stanley will analyze and explore:
- A lease or concession of the turnpike to a private operator.
- New revenue generating activity advocated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, such as bonds, new tolls on currently free interstates, or a $1 congestion fee on certain areas of the turnpike.
- A highly leveraged debt recapitalization of the turnpike by the Turnpike
Commission or another public entity owned by the commonwealth.
- Additions to the latest monument in nation's capital
Medallions honoring four outstanding Americans were added to The Extra Mile - Points of Light Volunteer Pathway on April 16.
The dedication marked the beginning of National Volunteer Week, April 15-21.
"The Extra Mile is America's national monument dedicated to volunteerism," says Terry Williams, interim CEO of the Points of Light Foundation. "The four new honorees join the 20 existing ones, each of whom pioneered important volunteer movements that have shaped the way we live as Americans. They championed movements that range from civil rights to voting rights and from social service to mental health. Their legacies are enduring social movements that continue to engage and inspire us today."
The Volunteer Pathway is comprised of a series of bronze medallions forming a one-mile walking path just blocks from the White House. The new honorees are:
- Jane Addams, founder of Hull-House
- Susan B. Anthony, suffragist
- Ida Wells-Barnett, leader of the anti-lynching movement
- Dorthea Dix, advocate for the reform of institutions for the mentally ill
The Extra Mile - Points of Light Volunteer Pathway is in downtown Washington, D.C. on 15th Street, NW, bordered by Pennsylvania Avenue and G Street, NW. For more information, go to http://www.extramile.us, where you can nominate an outstanding American that you think should be honored on the volunteer pathway.
- PennDOT expects to begin setting barrier on the westbound Susquehanna
River Bridge near Mifflinville in Columbia County beginning Monday, April 23, weather permitting.
All westbound traffic will travel in the passing lane.
This will also require closing the westbound on-ramp to I-80 from State Route 339 at Exit 242. Ramp traffic will be detoured along Route 339 north to Market Street in Mifflinville, west to Route 11, south on Route 11 and back to I-80 westbound at Exit 241.
PennDOT is taking this step so concrete deck repairs can safely take place on the river bridge.
Motorists are advised to be alert to the changing traffic patterns.
Keep alert for the potential of slow-moving or stopped traffic ahead of the work zone.
Traffic back-ups can develop at any time. Work is expected to be completed on or before July 25.
PennDOT announced that nighttime lane restrictions are scheduled on southbound Interstate 95 between Interstate 476 and the Delaware State line.
Southbound I-95 will be reduced from three lanes to one Sundays through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Crews will begin saw cutting I-95's asphalt pavement on April 9 and continue through June 29. The contractor will also begin asphalt patching April 15 through July 13.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
- PennDOT will begin a bridge rehabilitation project on Interstate 80 Westbound in White Deer Township, Union County during the week of April 23.
The bridge is located near mile marker 208, or about two miles west of the Route 15 Interchange.
Traffic will be restricted to a single lane, 14-foot maximum width in the Work zone. Traffic will first use the travel lane for approximately two months, then switch to the passing lane for approximately two months.
There is no detour with this project; however message boards will be placed in advance of the project area directing loads wider than 14 feet to exit onto I-180 westbound to Route 220 southbound.
- PennDOT District 12 alerts motorists that there will be upcoming improvements to the Interstate 70 / 79 South Junction and the Interchange of Interstate 79 and Route 40.
These improvements are scheduled to take place between April 23 and the end of July. The contractor will start to mobilize equipment and place work zone signs during the week of April 16, but roadway work will not start until the week of April 23.
During these improvements, phased detours and restrictions will be in place. Some detours are nighttime only.
