Pennsylvania Governor Calls Special Session to Tackle Transportation Funding Issues

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell has called a Special Session of the General Assembly starting May 4 to address the state's transportation funding problems

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Rendell will address a joint session of the House and Senate on May 4.

In his proclamation calling for the session, Rendell said Pennsylvania has 5,646 structurally deficient bridges, more than 7,000 miles of pavement in very poor condition, and a total of 10,000 miles of roadway where the regular and necessary resurfacing is significantly behind schedule. In addition, the state highway and bridge system now has a backlog of $2.576 billion in unfunded needs, he said.

Earlier this month, the federal government rejected the third proposal by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission requesting permission to implement tolls on Interstate 80 in an effort to raise funds for the state's highways.

Federal rules require tolls on an interstate be dedicated to improvements on that highway. Pennsylvania's plan, however, called for the income from the tolls to be spread around the state, and so it was rejected.

"Whereas, as a result of this federal decision the Commonwealth immediately needs to replace $472 million in transportation system improvement funds in Fiscal Year 2010/2011 or forego making significant bridge, road and transit capital improvements and reduce the incremental increases in transit operating subsidies provided for in that fiscal year," Rendell said in his proclamation.

According to Rendell, if these funds are not replaced, 12 percent of the state's roads will not be improved, and at least 450 bridges will not be repaired. In addition, at least $927 million in transit capital projects will not be able to continue.

For more information, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.