PennDOT local wish list for stimulus money

MILFORD — Pike could be getting more than $25 million in new PennDOT road work, if the feds come up with the money. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has released a list of candidate highway and bridge projects that could be advanced by funding anticipated under a national economic stimulus plan being debated in US Senate. The full list of candidate projects totals $1.5 billion. PennDOT also released a list of candidate projects assembled by transit agencies totaling $748 million. The lists are available on PennDOT’s Web site, www.dot.state.pa.us. “Our approach on highway and bridge candidate projects was based on two considerations,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. in a statement. “First, the project had to be in a position to move quickly. The thrust of the stimulus plan is to boost the economy as soon as possible. Second, we must use these anticipated additional resources to cut into the backlog of bridge, pavement and other infrastructure preservation needs we face.” As part of the candidate project list, PennDOT included projects to advance safety, Intelligent Transportation Systems, or ITS, and to address traffic bottlenecks. ITS refers to the variable message boards and other facilities used to inform motorists of changing road conditions. These systems are an important tool to deal with traffic congestion and weather. PennDOT is consulting with Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations (MPOs and RPOs) to work on program requirements to accommodate any increased federal funds that will be made available to Pennsylvania. In addition, PennDOT will work with the metro and rural planners to address other projects suggested by cities and municipalities. “While the economic recovery bill is not yet enacted, we believe its primary thrust will be short-term improvements and the candidate list is in line with that assumption,” Biehler said. “We welcome this new infusion of money to address transportation needs and PennDOT is committed to delivering these quality improvements on time and on budget.” No mass transit funding was allocated to Pike. What PennDOT says Pike would get Pike County projects would largely include work on Interstate Highway 84 and US Route 6. US Route 6 $2.4 million for paving of bike paths/shoulders; $3.72 million for US Route 6 interstate bridge preservation; $1.927 million would be anticipated for other US Route 6 paving. Interstate Highway 84 $17.5 million; $12.32 million for 28 miles of eastbound highway and $5.28 million for 12 miles of westbound pavement. In addition $712,000 is projected for paving of state Route 739.