Senators Specter and Casey Announce Senate Approval of Pennsylvania Transportation Projects

Funding Is Contained in the FY08 Consolidated Appropriations Bill

December 19, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Arlen Specter, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, and Bob Casey, the junior Senator from Pennsylvania, announced today the Senate has approved funding for several Pennsylvania transportation projects. The projects are contained in the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Bill.

“I am pleased that my colleagues have recognized the importance of these transportation projects in Pennsylvania,” said Specter. “These projects are necessary advancements to expand and improve our roadways and mass transit infrastructure and an important force for economic growth in our local communities.”

“I am grateful that my colleagues approved these important transportation projects,” said Casey. “These funds will help spur economic growth and will make significant strides to improve Pennsylvanian’s commute on our highway, rail and transit systems.”

The bill will now be sent back to the House for approval and must be signed into law by the President of the United States before funding is final.

Transportation projects in the bill include:

*House Members that also supported a project are indicated in parentheses

* $10.976 million for Capital Area Transit Authority for the Corridor One Rail project in Dauphin and Lancaster Counties for final design and construction of the rail project, which will bring commuter rail service to the region, connecting Harrisburg and Lancaster. (Joseph Pitts, Tim Holden)

* $2.058 million for PENNDOT for construction of the American Parkway in Lehigh County for construction of the four-lane Urban Arterial Highway, a signature bridge over the Lehigh River and architectural enhancements along the corridor. When complete, this project will connect Center City Allentown and U.S. Route 22.

* $2.45 million for SEPTA for the purchase of hybrid-electric buses. The more efficient, quiet and clean buses will be operated throughout the five county SEPTA service area: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. (Patrick Murphy, Joe Sestak)

* $1,313,200 for the Scranton - New York City Rail project to complete engineering and begin construction of the passenger rail service line between Scranton and New York City.

* $1.372 million for PENNDOT for the I-81 Widening project in Lackawanna County for preliminary engineering and final design for the widening of I-81. The corridor was designed to accommodate approximately 40,000 vehicles per day (vpd), however, recent traffic surveys show that certain sections of the corridor have volumes upwards of 70,000 vpd and future projections indicate that traffic volumes could exceed 86,000 vpd by 2010.

· $1.029 million for the Erie International Airport runway expansion project in Erie County. Expansion of this runway will increase safety and allow larger and heavier aircrafts to utilize ERI.

* $1.225 million for PENNDOT for the East Carson Street Widening project in Allegheny County for construction of the East Carson Street widening project, including widening the cartway to two lanes and improvements to sidewalks, street lighting, drainage and ADA compliant street crossings. (Mike Doyle)

* $1.225 million for the Berks Area Reading Transit Authority in Berks County for the restoration of Franklin Street Station. Funding will go to the design, engineering and construction required to restore the historic Reading Railroad Franklin Street Station which will serve as an important transportation hub and an economic and urban revitalization stimulus for the region. (Jim Gerlach)

* $1.421 million for the Centre Area Transit Authority in Centre County for the purchase of advanced-design, alternative-fuel buses buses which will service Centre County, including Penn State University in State College. (John Peterson)

* $656,600 for the High Priority Corridor 31 of the National Highway System in Southwestern PA to construct a 100-mile highway system known as the Mon-Fayette Expressway/Southern Beltway and provides Interstate connections between Interstate routes I-70, I-79 and I-376 and serves the Pittsburgh Airport.

* $656,600 for PENNDOT for the Valley View Business Park Access Road in Lackawanna County to redevelop abandoned mine lands turning them into a premiere commerce center. (Christopher Carney)

* $656,600 to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to enhance the safety and security systems on the nation’s fifth largest public transportation system.

* $328,300 to the City of Altoona Parking Authority in Blair County to support the renovation and reconstruction of an intermodal transportation facility.

* $164,150 to the City of Reading’s Lighting and Street Enhancement Initiative in Berks County to improve road conditions and street lighting.

Source: Senator Bob Casey

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