Gov. Corbett Signs Transportation Bill in Montco

The following is a press release from the state government.

Governor Tom Corbett today in Montgomery County ceremonially signed into law House Bill 1060, Pennsylvania's most comprehensive piece of state transportation legislation in decades.

The governor hailed the landmark legislation that will invest an additional $2.3 to $2.4 billion into the state's transportation system by the fifth year of the plan.

"Earlier today I signed a truly bipartisan bill that will keep our families safe, create good paying jobs and keep Pennsylvania moving," Corbett said. "Our elected officials put partisanship aside and, unlike Washington, we proved that by working together we can deliver and bring the quality transportation system that Pennsylvanians expect and deserve. Smoother roads, safer bridges, reliable transit systems and efficient ports are what this bill delivers."

The event was held near a $16.8 million project where PennDOT is currently building two new ramps to improve travel through the U.S. 422/PA 363 (Trooper Road) Interchange in West Norristown and Lower Providence townships, Montgomery County.

Because of the landmark legislation, replacement of the approximately $149 million, Route 422 bridge over the Schuylkill River will start construction in about two years. Without the funding provided by the new legislation, drivers in this area would have had to wait until at least 2017 or later for the bridge to be replaced. As a result of the legislation, construction on the bridge will begin in 2015. In addition, SEPTA will receive funding to stabilize operations.

By the fifth year of the plan, this legislation invests an additional:

 *   $1.3 billion annually for state roads and bridges;
 *   $480 million to $495 million annually for public transportation;
 *   $237 million annually for local roads and bridges;
 *   $144 million annually in a multi-modal fund;
 *   $30 million annually for dirt, gravel and low-volume roadways; and
 *   $86 million annually for Pennsylvania Turnpike expansion projects.

Partial funding for the new transportation package is being derived from the elimination of the flat 12-cent gas tax and modernizing an outdated transportation financing structure through the uncapping of the wholesale, Oil Company Franchise Tax. Also, changes in vehicle and drivers' license fees will help to fund the plan.

Pennsylvania law states that revenues from fuel taxes must be directed to highway and bridge-related costs and state police patrol functions and not used for any other purpose. Many road and bridge projects are slated to start next spring.

Samples of the additional projects in the Philadelphia region that will be completed because of this plan include:

 *   Roadway reconstruction, widening, and bridge rehabilitation involving nearly three miles of roadway, 11 bridges, and four retaining walls along U.S. Route 1 from Old Lincoln Highway to PA Route 413 in Bensalem and Middletown townships, Bucks County; $216 million.

 *   Rehabilitation of the Chestnut Street Bridge at 30th Street in the City of Philadelphia; $80 million.

 *   Replacement of Vine Street Expressway Bridges, involving seven new superstructures carrying 18th Street, the Family Court Pedestrian Walkway, 19th Street, the Free Library Pedestrian Walkway, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 21st Street and 22nd Street over Interstate 676 in the City of Philadelphia; $110 million.

 *   Two construction projects involving pavement reconstruction and widening with two new lanes along an eight mile stretch of U.S. Route 322 from U.S. Route 1 to Interstate 95 in Delaware County; $216 million

For more information on transportation funding, visit www.dot.state.pa.us<http://www.dot.state.pa.us>.