Any money from a stimulus package will mostly fund bridge upgrades and repaving projects in Pennsylvania, along with expanding variable message signs and traffic management systems. The Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation released Jan. 16 its $1.5-billion wish list of highway and transit projects, just days after the House Appropriations Committee released its $775-billion draft proposal. �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,� stated Allen Biehler, PennDOT Secretary.
Mong the largest projects on the list are a $59.4 million project to begin railroad relocations, bridge retrofits and building demolition for the widening of PA 28 in Allegheny County, a $30.6-million project to upgrade the Fort Duquesne Bridge, and $37.5 million to install Intelligent Traffic System components along Interstate 95. Approximately $748 million of Pennsylvania’s $1.5-billion list include requests from transit agencies. Pittsburgh’s transit agency requested $117.8 million in overall infrastructure renewal and repair, among other items. Philadelphia’s transit system wish list includes $26.3 million in replacement of overhead structures, new rail, grade crossings and new catenary poles.