No Tolls on I-80 Hurts Bradford Projects
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
The Kennedy Street Bridge will be replaced this year, but other road and bridge projects are up in air.
During a public hearing Tuesday on Community Development Block Grant proposed activities, OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews said she had hoped to add at least the Elm Street Bridge to the list of proposed activities in the three-year plan.
CDBG money is federal funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, but the city also needs state money to help pay for road and bridge projects.
Andrews said the state’s Transportation Improvement Program isn’t taking on any new projects.
She said the state was counting on money from the tolling of Interstate 80, but “funding for transportation is all up in the air because the state now has to come up with a plan to fund transportation projects – bridges and roads – and at this point in time I don’t believe they have a plan.”
Last week, the Federal Highway Administration denied the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s application to impose tolls on Interstate 80.
That leaves a $472 million hole in the state’s budget – on top of the $750 million to $1 billion shortfall in revenue that’s being predicted.
Tolls on I-80 would have helped fund the $532 million a year the state planned for road and bridge repairs. Without the money from tolls, funding for roads and bridges would be cut by about $300 million a year, delaying repairs on 100 bridges and 300 miles of road across the state.
And, Andrews is right. State lawmakers don't have a concrete plan. Governor Ed Rendell has called for a special session of the Legislature to address transportation funding. House Transportation Minority Chairman Rick Geist has proposed, among other things, using public-private partnerships, imposing tolls on Interstate 95 and phasing out use of the Motor License Fund for the State Police operating budget.
So, the Elm Street Bridge, which has been posted with a 5-ton weight limit for two years, will probably have to wait even longer for repairs.
As for the Kennedy Street Bridge, that money has already been allocated.
During the regular council meeting, members approved several resolutions relating to that project, including authorization for right-of-way acquisition, and execution of an agreement with the Bradford City Water Authority for 50 percent of the cost to relocate the waterline attached to the bridge.
Other proposed CDBG projects include Elm Street Neighborhood (Project Pride) Streetscape Improvements, primarily on State Street between North Center and Pearl streets; providing $25,000 toward the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over Pine Street; and gateway improvements near the Elm Street ramps of Route 219.
CDBG money will also go toward demolishing blighted properties.
Andrews said the $30,000 is “not enough, but at least it’s something.”
“Because we have to spread our money out and try to address a number of different things, we’re not really able to sock a bunch of money at some particular activity – like a streetscape project that we could really make a big difference with,” she said.
“We’re trying to address a lot of community development issues, and with the city’s budget issues, knowing that there are some things they can’t pay for, we’re using this program to help out," Andrews said.
WESB/WBRR News Director
The Kennedy Street Bridge will be replaced this year, but other road and bridge projects are up in air.
During a public hearing Tuesday on Community Development Block Grant proposed activities, OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews said she had hoped to add at least the Elm Street Bridge to the list of proposed activities in the three-year plan.
CDBG money is federal funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, but the city also needs state money to help pay for road and bridge projects.
Andrews said the state’s Transportation Improvement Program isn’t taking on any new projects.
She said the state was counting on money from the tolling of Interstate 80, but “funding for transportation is all up in the air because the state now has to come up with a plan to fund transportation projects – bridges and roads – and at this point in time I don’t believe they have a plan.”
Last week, the Federal Highway Administration denied the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s application to impose tolls on Interstate 80.
That leaves a $472 million hole in the state’s budget – on top of the $750 million to $1 billion shortfall in revenue that’s being predicted.
Tolls on I-80 would have helped fund the $532 million a year the state planned for road and bridge repairs. Without the money from tolls, funding for roads and bridges would be cut by about $300 million a year, delaying repairs on 100 bridges and 300 miles of road across the state.
And, Andrews is right. State lawmakers don't have a concrete plan. Governor Ed Rendell has called for a special session of the Legislature to address transportation funding. House Transportation Minority Chairman Rick Geist has proposed, among other things, using public-private partnerships, imposing tolls on Interstate 95 and phasing out use of the Motor License Fund for the State Police operating budget.
So, the Elm Street Bridge, which has been posted with a 5-ton weight limit for two years, will probably have to wait even longer for repairs.
As for the Kennedy Street Bridge, that money has already been allocated.
During the regular council meeting, members approved several resolutions relating to that project, including authorization for right-of-way acquisition, and execution of an agreement with the Bradford City Water Authority for 50 percent of the cost to relocate the waterline attached to the bridge.
Other proposed CDBG projects include Elm Street Neighborhood (Project Pride) Streetscape Improvements, primarily on State Street between North Center and Pearl streets; providing $25,000 toward the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over Pine Street; and gateway improvements near the Elm Street ramps of Route 219.
CDBG money will also go toward demolishing blighted properties.
Andrews said the $30,000 is “not enough, but at least it’s something.”
“Because we have to spread our money out and try to address a number of different things, we’re not really able to sock a bunch of money at some particular activity – like a streetscape project that we could really make a big difference with,” she said.
“We’re trying to address a lot of community development issues, and with the city’s budget issues, knowing that there are some things they can’t pay for, we’re using this program to help out," Andrews said.
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