Governor Rendell: PA Transportation Failing; Funding Solutions Needed

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite recent investments, Pennsylvania's roads and bridges are failing, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today, citing a recent report from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Pennsylvania's bridges earned a "C" and its roads a "D-" in the ASCE's 2010 report card, "Keystone in Crisis," released this week.

"Residents and businesses across the state need adequately-funded transportation systems that improve safety, relieve traffic congestion, promote economic growth and create jobs," Governor Rendell said.

"President Obama's Economic Stimulus package provided a much-needed jumpstart to Pennsylvania's economy by rebuilding and repaving 476 bridges and 872 miles of roads — greater than the distance between Philadelphia and Chicago — while putting thousands of people to work.

"In addition to federal Recovery Act investments, Pennsylvania is investing nearly four times more now in bridge repairs than when I took office," he added, noting that $959 million was spent in 2009, compared to $259 million in 2002. "On roads, we went from investing $ 1.1 billion in 2002 to $ 1.5 billion in roadway activities in 2009.

"Despite additional investments, Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of structurally deficient bridges – 5,646 – with more than the total number of structurally deficient bridges from Virginia to Maine combined, and we have more than 7,000 miles of state roads in poor condition.

"The ASCE report makes it clear that the legislature and the administration, working together, must come up with solutions to these problems," the Governor said, pointing to the impending loss of nearly $500 million in transportation funding this year, the poor report card ratings and the recent Transportation Advisory Committee recommendation calling for an additional $3.5 billion transportation funding.

"We must take the opportunity now to continue creating jobs and economic progress by developing a plan to adequately fund Pennsylvania's transportation systems."

In addition to creating immediate economic benefits, new transportation funding would create thousands of jobs including increased in-state production of steel, concrete, asphalt, and employment in other construction related industries.

A recent poll indicates Americans understand the need for -- and benefits of – new investments in infrastructure.

"Building America's Future  — the coalition I founded with Governor Schwarzenegger and Mayor Bloomberg — conducted a poll a little over a year ago and found that 94 percent of those surveyed are concerned about America's infrastructure. But what is even more remarkable – even in these financially difficult times – fully 81 percent of those people were willing to pay 1 percent more in income taxes to rebuild America's infrastructure, but only if we make important changes.

"It is clear that the American people 'get it.' It is time that Pennsylvania's General Assembly and the U.S. Congress listens to their message and acts boldly.

"The problem is too big for states to handle alone, but states need to act now with the hope that Congress will step up to the plate, too. I will continue to advocate for creation of a National Infrastructure Bank to be the single entity in this country that can leverage dollars from state and local governments or the private sector, to focus on projects of regional and national significance. We can remove politics from the process by subjecting all requests to a benefit-cost analysis, and achieve all of this in an open and transparent process."

The Governor also commended House Democratic and Republican Transportation and Policy Committee chairs for kicking-off a series of hearings on transportation funding today. The Senate Transportation Committee is beginning a series of hearing on transportation funding on June 15.

The ASCE report is available online at http://www.pareportcard.org. Information on Pennsylvania's transportation funding shortfall is available at www.FundPaTransportationNow.org.

Media contact: Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor