March 29 - April 4, 2019

Contents Around the Rotunda Around the Rotunda . . . . . 1 Committee News ...... 3 WOLF ADMINISTRATION PROVIDES UPDATE ON 2020 CENSUS EFFORTS Sheri Melnick, Pennsylvania Legislative Services | April 1, 2019 Bullet .in .Points...... 3 Cosponsor Memos...... 4 Members of the 2020 Census Commission and administration officials met this morning to provide an update on the progress made in providing an accurate and complete 2020 Bill Actions ...... 5 Census count in Pennsylvania. Upcoming Events...... 8 In the News...... 9 Executive Director of the Governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission, Norman Bristol Colón, discussed the importance of ensuring the accuracy of the 2020 Census in SESSION STATUS Pennsylvania. He stated that Pennsylvania receives more than $26 billion per year from At 12:22 p.m. on Wednesday, the nation’s budget to support items such as Medicare, Medicaid, infrastructure, and human March 27, 2019 the Senate services. Colón asserted that a complete and accurate census will make sure that funding stands in recess until Monday, will continue for those items. April 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m., unless sooner recalled by the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Deputy Secretary for President Pro Tempore. Community Affairs, Rick Vilello, stated that he was the mayor of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania for four terms and learned the importance of an accurate census count. “The estimate is At 5:21 p.m. on Wednesday, everybody that is not counted means that Pennsylvania will lose $2,093,” he said. Vilello March 27, 2019 the House explained that he is representing DCED Secretary Dennis Davin and Governor Tom Wolf stands adjourned until because the census falls under his jurisdiction. He added that by working with partners Monday, April 8, 2019 at 1:00 across the state it is possible to have an accurate count. p.m., unless sooner recalled by the Speaker. Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller asserted that the census has UPCOMING SESSION DAYS csritical implications for DHS and for the nearly three million Pennsylvanians served through House the program. She indicated federal appropriations use data derived from the census to guide April 8-10, 15-17, 29, 30 them in the distribution of funds for programs such as Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance May 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 22 Program (CHIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Low Income Home June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and child care and development block grant. 18, 19, 20, 24-28 Budget hearings: Feb. 11 - Department of Education (DOE) Secretary Pedro Rivera explained that census data is used Mar. 7 to allocate Title I programs, Title 1 grants, special education grants, National School Lunch Program grants, Head Start, Early Head Start grants, community and migrant health center Senate programs, and public housing. He asserted that census data will enable the DOE to identify April 8, 9, 10, 29, 30 demographic compositions of community constituency, and that data is used in educational May 1, 6, 7, 8 planning, measuring outcomes and success. “If we continue to do our due diligence with June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, ensuring that there is an accurate count, we can properly support programs.” he said. 18, 19, 24-28

Budget hearings: Feb. 19 - Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine stated that DOH is focused on Mar. 7 protecting the health of all Pennsylvanians, providing healthy opportunities to prepare for potential diseases, educating the public on disease, and assisting physicians in keeping residents in Pennsylvania healthy. She indicated that the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Food and Nutrition Service is funded based upon census data. Dr. Levine asserted that over 200,000 Pennsylvanians are assisted by the WIC program. She explained that WIC also helps the Pennsylvania economy because, “WIC families shop at more than 1,500 Pennsylvania grocery stores, and spend more than more than $248 million in Pennsylvania with their WIC benefits.” Director of Pennsylvania State Data Center, Susan Copella, stated the Pennsylvania State Data Center was established in 1981 by executive order of the governor because the U.S. Census Bureau wanted each state to assist with the census counts. She explained how the Pennsylvania State Data Center is the official source of population and economic statistics. Copella opined that historically the census has undercounted young children, racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents, and low income households at a higher rate than other populations. She asserted that Pennsylvania has over 2.7 million rural residents, and that the minority population grew by more than 400,000 residents since 2010, and that one in ten residents is living in poverty.

U.S. Census Bureau Deputy Regional Director Philip Lutz stated that the U.S. Census Day is exactly one year away on April 1, 2020, and that the 2020 Census “is easier to participate in than ever before” as participation can be done online, with a paper form, or by telephone, and will be available in Spanish and 12 or 13 languages. He asserted that the 2020 census will be the 24th census, and that it is constitutional to conduct the census every ten years. Lutz indicated that by law all the information is confidential and only statistical information can be. He stated that one of the Census Bureau’s struggles is getting people “educated and motivated” to fill out the form.” Lutz explained that the U.S. Census Bureau will need workers to help with the census count, that temporary jobs are available. . Administration officials took questions from the press.

What is Pennsylvania doing in the coming year to help get a good count? Vilelllo explained that DCED is working with commission members to figure out the most effective manner to approach educating each community in how to complete their census forms. He asserted that areas in Reading, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh will be assed differently than other areas in the state to make sure that the message is the same so that people are not afraid to answer the questions.

Can you talk about the major differences between this census and the previous one? Vilello stated that there are more ways for people to submit their responses, but that he is not sure of the questions on the form as there is one question in particular that is being debated.

Which question is being debated? Vilello explained that the question of citizenship is being decided by the courts, and he hopes that it would be decided by June.

What additional platforms are available? Lutz explained that the major difference this time around is that people will be able to go online to respond to the census either from their smart phone or computer. He asserted that members of the committees will work with libraries and other facilities so that people can have computer access there, and telephone centers will also be available so that people can respond to the census by phone.

You mentioned languages, how many languages was there last time? Lutz said that there were six languages last time, and that they would also have language guides for about 59 languages with an advertising campaign to target various language groups and populations.

The President tweeted this morning that he thinks the census would be meaningless without the citizenship question included. Do you have a response to that and is there concern that if that question is on there that it would scare off some potential people from participating? Vilello explained that he believes there is a concern that it would scare some people from answering the census, and the key is counting everybody regardless of their citizenship status.

Are there any citizenship questions that are different? Vilello explained that they are all the same.

Was citizenship not included last time? Vilello stated that it was not.

2 Is the census tied to infrastructure funding like roads and electricity? Vilello stated that he did not know about electricity, but highway funding is tied to census counts. He added that in Lock Haven one the poorest neighborhood is underfunded and that the town is forced to live with the undercount for ten years.

Committee News

No Committee News this week.

Bullet.in.Points

DEP: INTERSTATE POLLUTION TRANSPORT REDUCTION: FINAL 2019 OZONE SEASON NITROGEN OXIDE EMISSION LIMITS FOR NONELECTRIC GENERATING UNITS The Department of Environmental Protection provided notice for the final Nonelectric Generating Unit (non-EGU) 2019

Ozone Season Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emission limitations. Notice of the proposed emission limitations was published on February 16, 2019, to allow for a 17-day public comment period, which closed on March 4, 2019. The department received two comments during the public comment period. The two comments indicated NOx emission errors in Table 1 of the proposed notice. The department has corrected the errors. For further information, please see the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Questions concerning this notice should be directed to Randy Bordner at [email protected] or (717) 772-3921. Appeals must be filed with the board within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, unless the appropriate statute provides a different time period.

A notice of appeal form and the board’s rules of practice and procedure may be obtained here or by contacting the secretary to the board at (717) 787-3483. For individuals who wish to challenge this action, their appeal must be filed with and received by the board within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

PENNDOT: TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING The Department of Transportation’s Transportation Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Commonwealth Keystone Building, Harrisburg. For more information contact the Office of the State Transportation Commission, (717) 787-2913, [email protected].

IRRC: NOTICE OF FILING OF FINAL RULEMAKING The Independent Regulatory Review Commission received the following regulation below: • No. 57-315, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission: Standards and Billing Practices for Residential Public Utility Service

The commission’s public meetings are held at 333 Market Street, Harrisburg at 10 a.m. To obtain a copy of the regulation, interested parties should first contact the promulgating agency. If a copy cannot be obtained from the promulgating agency, the commission will provide a copy or it can be viewed on the commission’s website.

3 Cosponsor Memos

HCO1677 Simmons, Justin(R) Ensures the safety of our children when they are loading and unloading on a school bus. This bill will prohibit vehicles from parking in a school bus loading and unloading zone during the school day. HCO1691 Kim, Patty(D) Lowers the distance threshold for the provision of school transportation. HCO1703 Gillespie, Keith(R) Repeals Act 577 of 1951, which is a part of a package of bills that PennDOT has reviewed and considers to be outdated and obsolete. HCO1704 Causer, Martin(R) Designates the bridge that spans the Kinzua Creek in the village of Kushequa, Hamlin Township, McKean County as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge. HCO1721 Turzai, Mike(R) Amends the Municipal Authorities Act to require that these boards consist of 13 members; four appointed by the General Assembly, one appointed by the Governor, and eight appointed by the County Executive. HCO1728 Turzai, Mike(R) Amends the Municipal Authorities Act to require that these boards consist of 13 members; four appointed by the General Assembly, one appointed by the Governor, and eight appointed by the County Executive. HCO1733 Fritz, Jonathan(R) Designates the bridge on State Route 3041 in Wayne County, as the PFC Raymond P. Schwesinger Memorial Bridge. SCO 756 Laughlin, Daniel(R) Eliminates exceptions to the statewide smoking ban and adds e-cigarettes to the law. SCO 757 Ward, Judy (F)(R) Amends the Vehicle Code to ensure that milk haulers can travel on highways during a declaration of disaster emergency. SCO 775 Killion, Thomas(R) Addresses penalties for repeat DUI offenders. SCO 784 Hutchinson, Scott(R) Allows for a $5 surcharge to be added to DUI fines to go into a restricted account to fund Drug Recognition Experts training.

4 Bill Actions

HB 351 Emrick, Joe(R) (PN 327) Amends the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Compact providing for veto power by the Governor over certain actions; further providing for audits; and providing the Governor of each state with power to ratify or veto certain actions taken by commissioners. The bill reserves each state the right to provide by law for the exercise of a veto power by the Governor of that state over any action of any commissioner from that state. Further, the Auditor General of Pennsylvania and the State Auditor of New Jersey shall jointly conduct annual financial and management audits of expenditures and operations of the commission and shall submit a report of those audits to the Governors and Legislatures of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey. Effective immediately. Bill History: 03-27-19 H Reported as committed from House Appropriations 03-27-19 Laid out for discussion 3:38pm 03-27-19 Third consideration 3:38pm 03-27-19 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:175/N: 16) 03-29-19 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Transportation HB 447 Miller, Brett(R) (PN 1116) Amends the State Highway Law, in construction, improvement, maintenance and repair of state highways, by requiring the department to plant vegetation that is native to Pennsylvania where feasible and that will thrive in that plant hardiness zone and under the environmental conditions of the highway right-of-way. If it is not feasible to plant native vegetation, the department may authorize the use of nonnative vegetation, provided that the nonnative vegetation is not a federally-listed invasive plant or a noxious weed or controlled plant. Allows the department to use hay, straw or similar materials for erosion control or other purposes at their discretion. Further provides nothing shall require the department of any other commonwealth agency to identify hay, straw or similar materials as a native species. Effective immediately. (Prior Printer Number: 432) Bill History: 03-27-19 H Reported as committed from House Appropriations 03-27-19 Laid out for discussion 3:40pm 03-27-19 Third consideration 3:40pm 03-27-19 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:191/N: 0) 03-29-19 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Transportation

5 HB 692 Gillespie, Keith(R) (PN 718) Act designating a bridge carrying State Route 4009 in York County over the Conewago Creek as the Staff Sergeant Gary Crone Memorial Bridge. Effective in 60 days. Bill History: 03-26-19 H Reported as committed from House Appropriations 03-26-19 Laid out for discussion 11:45am 03-26-19 Third consideration 11:45am 03-26-19 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:196/N: 0) 03-29-19 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Transportation HB 756 Irvin, Rich(R) (PN 806) Act designating a bridge on that portion of Pennsylvania Route 453 over the Little Juniata River, Tyrone Township, Blair County, as the Robert E. Gensimore Memorial Bridge. Effective in 60 days. Bill History: 03-26-19 H Reported as committed from House Appropriations 03-26-19 Laid out for discussion 11:46am 03-26-19 Third consideration 11:46am 03-26-19 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:196/N: 0) 03-29-19 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Transportation HB 997 Donatucci, Maria(D) (PN 1150) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in other required equipment, further providing for penalties regarding violations of restraint systems while on a freeway, including an interstate highway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The bill adds that conviction of another violation does not apply if the violation occurred on a freeway. Effective in 60 days. Bill History: 03-27-19 H Filed 04-02-19 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Transportation HB 1023 Kortz, Bill(D) (PN 1172) Amends Title 4 (Amusements) further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, further providing for board minutes and records, for regulatory authority of the board and for number of slot machines; and in licensees, further providing for gaming service provider and for nongaming service provider and providing for slot machines in qualified airports. The bill establishes that the board shall have the power and duty to establish standards and procedures to govern the installation and operation of slot machines within qualified airports. Effective in 60 days. Bill History: 03-28-19 H Filed 04-02-19 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Gaming Oversight HB 1046 Knowles, Jerry(R) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in financial responsibility, further providing for definitions. Bill History: 04-01-19 H Filed

6 HB 1062 Peifer, Michael(R) Act repealing "an act providing for the est., construction, operation & maintenance of a mountain ridge road or parkway in the Pocono Mountains, known as the "Pocono Mountain Memorial Parkway;" providing for creation of PA Parkway Commission. Bill History: 04-03-19 H Filed HB 1065 Dush, Cris(R) Act designating a bridge on that portion of State Route 3033 over Redbank Creek in Brookville Borough, Jefferson County, as the CPL James Slagle 2nd Ranger Battalion Army Ranger WWII Memorial Bridge. Bill History: 04-03-19 H Filed HB 1067 Culver, Lynda(R) Repeals an act establishing as state highways, certain county highways and requiring their construction, repair and maintenance as such. Bill History: 04-04-19 H Filed HB 1074 Turzai, Mike(R) Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally), in municipal authorities, providing for governing bodies of airport authorities located in counties of the second class. Bill History: 04-04-19 H Filed HB 1077 Marshall, Jim(R) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in fees, for annual hauling permits; and, in size, weight and load, for permit for movement during course of manufacture and providing for permit for movement of hot ingots or hot boxes. Bill History: 04-04-19 H Filed HB 1078 Marshall, Jim(R) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for autonomous vehicles and imposing a penalty. Bill History: 04-04-19 H Filed HR 189 Pashinski, Eddie (PN 1141) Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Day(D) Finance Committee to conduct a study of the feasibility of providing passenger rail service between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton in conjunction with the proposed restoration of passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City and issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives. Bill History: 03-29-19 H Filed 04-02-19 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Transportation SB 513 Baker, Lisa(R) (PN 544) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in general provisions, adding that "emergency vehicle" includes a privately owned vehicle used in answering an emergency call when used by a local emergency coordinator. Effective in 60 days. Bill History: 04-03-19 S Filed 04-03-19 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Transportation

7 Upcoming Events

PA Pedalcycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee April 9, 2019 - 12:30 p.m., Commonwealth Keystone Building, Desert Room, 400 North St., Harrisburg Committee Meeting. For additional information: (717) 783-3991

House Agriculture and Rural Affairs April 10, 2019 - 9:00 a.m., Room 60, East Wing Informational meeting on milk hauling and: HB 915 Causer, Martin Amends Title 75 re milk hauling

House Human Services and House Tourism and Recreational Development April 10, 2019 - 9:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building Joint public hearing on the challenges for people with a disability who are traveling

House Transportation April 10, 2019 - Off the Floor, Room B31, Main Capitol To consider: HB 364 Gabler, Matt Amends Title 75 re school vehicle lights HB 592 Irvin, Rich Act re Private Harold E. Knode Memorial Bridge HB 632 Rothman, Greg Amends Title 75 re vehicle transfer process HB 634 Keller, Mark Amends Title 75 re motorcycle processions HB 757 Dush, Cris Act re PFC Patrick T. Cassatt Memorial Bridge HB 758 Dush, Cris Act re SP4 Franklin Delano Meyer Bridge

House Transportation April 11, 2019 - 9:00 a.m., PA Turnpike Commission Headquarters, 700 S Eisenhower Blvd., Middletown Informational meeting on an overview of the PA Turnpike and their operations

PA State Transportation Advisory Committee April 11, 2019 - 10:00 a.m., Commonwealth Keystone Building, Room 8N1, 400 North Street, Harrisburg Committee Meeting. For additional information: (717) 787-2913

PA Public Utility Commission April 11, 2019 - 10:00 a.m., Commonwealth Keystone Building, Hearing Room 1, 400 North St., Harrisburg Public Meeting. For additional information: (717) 783-1740

PA Turnpike Commission April 16, 2019 - 10:00 a.m., Turnpike Admin. Bldg, Large Board Room, 700 S. Eisenhower Blvd., 3rd Fl., Middletown Commission Meeting. For additional information: (717) 831-7333

Delaware River Port Authority/PATCO April 17, 2019 - 9:00 a.m., One Port Center, 11th Floor, 2 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ Board Meeting. For additional information: (856) 968-2253

House Tourism and Recreational Development and House Transportation April 17, 2019 - 9:30 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building Joint informational meeting on anti-litter initiatives and their impact on the state’s tourism economy

House Transportation April 18, 2019 - 10:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building Public hearing on: HB 631 Rothman, Greg Amends Title 75 re electric low-speed scooters

8 Independent Regulatory Review Commission April 18, 2019 - 10:00 a.m., 14th Floor Conference Room, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg To consider the following regulation: Reg. No. 3161 PA Public Utility Commission #57-315: Standards and Billing Practices for Residential Public Utility Service

PA Public Utility Commission April 22, 2019 - 1:00 p.m., Hearing Room 1, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg Smart Hearing on $71 Million UGI Natural Gas Rate Increase Request. For additional information: (717) 783-1740

April 22, 2019 - 6:00 p.m., Hearing Room 1, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg Smart Hearing on $71 Million UGI Natural Gas Rate Increase Request. For additional information: (717) 783-1740

PA Public Utility Commission April 25, 2019 - 10:00 a.m., Commonwealth Keystone Building, Hearing Room 1, 400 North St., Harrisburg Public Meeting. For additional information: (717) 783-1740

House Human Services and House Tourism and Recreational Development May 15, 2019 - 9:00 a.m., Room 60, East Wing Joint Public Hearing to learn about the challenges of traveling for people who have a disability

In the News

04-04-2019 PUC: Safety Probe Underway for Natural Gas Line 'Hit' in Hershey (Press Release)

04-04-2019 PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Share Feedback on Winter Services (Press Release)

04-04-2019 SMS Group takes on storm water improvements to mitigate flooding A technical services company on Manifold Road in South Strabane is planning to make stormwater system upgrades to try to mitigate flooding in the area. According to township manager Brandon Stanick, the SMS Group, in the 700 block of Manifold Road, has experienced flooding in the past year, which... - Washington Observer-Reporter

04-04-2019 Transit board OKs addition of Mon Valley routes The Washington County Transportation Authority board, after extensive discussion Tuesday, approved the addition of Washington-to-Mon Valley fixed-route bus service via McMurray, Venetia and Finleyville. The addition of the Peters Township “County Line B” route and its... - Washington Observer-Reporter

04-04-2019 Striking Wabtec workers in Erie to receive unemployment pay Ultimately, decision-makers in Harrisburg decided that the nine-day work stoppage met the definition of a lockout. The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of American at the former GE Transportation plant in Erie insisted that their nine-day work stoppage... - Erie Times-News

04-04-2019 State awards $100,000 to enhance Pottstown safety, streetscapes A section of Pottstown near The Hill School will receive new streetlights, sidewalk repairs and bike lane markings through a $100,000 state grant awarded to Hobart's Run. As part of the successful grant application, The Hill School pledged to add $37,000 to the effort, essentially covering the cost of new streetlight... - Reading Eagle

9 04-04-2019 Womelsdorf seeking intersection solutions from PennDOT Womelsdorf Borough Council on Tuesday approved sending PennDOT a resolution expressing concerns with traffic and crashes at Routes 419 and 422. The resolution highlights traffic light issues contributing to imbalanced queuing times and excessive traffic along Route 419. It also brings up... - Reading Eagle

04-04-2019 Reading Parking Authority board, executive director debate parking spots What was a simple request turned into debate between the Reading Parking Authority board and the authority executive director. Yvonne Fonte, a constituent advocate for U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Chester County Democrat who also represents part of Berks, came to the... - Reading Eagle

04-04-2019 City streetscape project will tackle neighborhood small business district WILKES-BARRE — Work to improve a neighborhood small business district will begin this week. The George Avenue Streetscape Project will enhance pedestrian safety by installing new handicap ramp upgrades, replacing deteriorating sidewalks and curbs, repaving the street and placing new pavement markings for... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

04-04-2019 Wolf visits Shamokin to discuss infrastructure plan SHAMOKIN — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf attracted a small crowd of interested citizens and area political figures during a brief visit Wednesday to promote his $4.5 billion “Restore Pennsylvania” initiative. - Shamokin News-Item

04-04-2019 Wyalusing Twp. Takes Down Road Signs Wyalusing Township has complied with the state Department of Transportation’s order to remove four township signs on Route 6, said Marvin Meteer, chairman of the supervisors, at the Wyalusing Township Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, April 2. - Wyalusing Rocket- Courier

04-04-2019 $1M grant will go toward rail siding project DANVILLE — A rail siding project is expected to be the first part of $1 million grant work to start at the former Metso Minerals property, according to Jennifer Wakeman. The executive director of DRIVE, Wakeman told the DRIVE board Wednesday the initial grant sought from the state was for $2 million but state officials... - Sunbury Daily Item

04-04-2019 I-76 is getting revamped — so expect a lot of lane closures PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Get ready for a major construction project on I-76 through the city. Two projects are coming to the Schuylkill Expressway. One starts on the bridge that carries I-76 over Route 23 in West Conshohocken, which will result in one- lane overnight closures.... - KYW News Radio 1060

04-04-2019 Pa. Falls To 2nd Place On List Of States With Most Compromised Bridges PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A report says that Pennsylvania has the second highest number of “structurally deficient” bridges in the United States, but many in the Pittsburgh area are scheduled to be repaired. When it comes to Pittsburgh, we are branded by our rivers. Three Rivers,... - KDKA

10 04-04-2019 DeWine signs bill increasing gas tax, resisting call for line-item vetoes Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the two-year state transportation budget and its accompany fuel tax hike late Wednesday afternoon while resisting calls for line-item vetoes of two provisions. HB62 increases the gas tax by 10.5 cents per gallon to 38.5 cents and the diesel tax by 19 cents to 47 cents a gallon effective July 1 to... - Columbus Dispatch

04-04-2019 Pa. has second-most deficient bridges in U.S. Pennsylvania still has the second-highest number of structurally deficient bridges in the United States, but progress is being made. For the second year in a row, Pennsylvania ranked second in a list of states with the most structurally deficient spans, according to a report... - Ellwood City Ledger

04-04-2019 Free parking tested in Greencastle A trial run of free parking on Saturdays for two months begins this weekend in downtown Greencastle and it could lead to the elimination of parking meters. The test period is in response to a petition from businesses that followed a January downtown meeting at the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce... - Waynesboro Record Herald

04-04-2019 Fox Supervisors approve paving, dust oil bids The Fox Township Supervisors covered a myriad of topics during their recent regular meeting. Bids were approved for paving at the Fox Twp. Community Park and for dust oil. The projects were awarded to the lowest bidder including HRI at a cost of $101,354 for paving and Midland Asphalt at a cost of $3.04/gallon for... - Saint Marys Daily Press

04-04-2019 Congestion Pricing Is Coming. Now Everyone Wants a Break. A bus company has called lawmakers in New York asking for an exemption. A mayor in New Jersey warned drivers they might be tolled twice when they leave the state. Truckers are putting together a lobbying strategy. And taxi drivers have written a letter to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo seeking a... - New York Times

04-04-2019 A student thought she was getting into an Uber. Lawmakers want to prevent another deadly mistake. Tuesday night, hundreds of mourners gathered in a New Jersey park on the eve of Samantha Josephson’s funeral to say goodbye. They lit candles and shared memories of their friend, a college student who had been killed in South Carolina last week after police say she mistakenly... - Washington Post

04-04-2019 Deadline for Lancaster Airport to aid federal subsidy extended to year's end, keeping commercial air service Commercial air service will continue at Lancaster Airport at least through the end of the year. That’s because the federal Department of Transportation has agreed to give the airport more time to come up with a local match for its federal subsidy. Lancaster Airport Director David Eberly said he received a response letter... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

04-04-2019 Concerns raised over plan to remove traffic lane on Chestnut Street for bikeway Should much of east and west Chestnut Street in Lancaster be reduced to one lane of motor vehicle traffic to make way for a protected bike lane? Plan envisions adapting roads, expanding trails for walkers and bikers countywide That’s what’s in the recently released draft Lancaster Active... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

11 04-04-2019 Crash report says Ethiopian pilots performed Boeing’s recommendations to stop doomed aircraft from diving The Ethio­pian Airlines pilots performed all the procedures recommended by Boeing to save their doomed 737 Max 8 aircraft but could not pull it out of a flight-system-induced dive, a preliminary report into the crash concluded Thursday. In a brief summary of the much-anticipated preliminary report on the March... - Washington Post

04-04-2019 Sunoco and PUC lawyers reach a deal over corrosion on Mariner East pipeline Energy Transfer LP’s Sunoco Pipeline subsidiary has reached a compromise with state pipeline regulators over corrosion on its 88-year-old Mariner East 1 line. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission prosecutors filed a formal complaint against Sunoco in December questioning the “soundness of (its)... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-04-2019 Gas prices are rising in the Lehigh Valley and beyond, but why? The price of a gallon of regular gasoline has jumped nationwide, driven by rising oil prices that have exceeded analysts’ expectations. It’s leaving many wondering how much worse the pain at the pump is going to get. According to the American Petroleum Institute (API), oil prices have... - Allentown Morning Call

04-04-2019 Street congestion is bad, but solutions exist | Editorial Congestion on the streets and highways of Philadelphia is bad and getting worse. The city has the ninth-worst congestion in the country, and. - Philadelphia Inquirer

04-04-2019 Ethiopian Airlines Pilots Followed Boeing’s Safety Procedures Before Crash, Report Shows Just two minutes after takeoff, the captain of the doomed Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 said the plane was having problems. Pilots then began having trouble controlling the aircraft. In the plane’s short and fatal flight, pilots followed safety procedures recommended by Boeing, performing actions on the emergency... - New York Times

04-04-2019 Judge dismisses truckers' federal lawsuit challenging Pa. Turnpike tolls A federal court judge in Harrisburg on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit by a national trucking group that claimed the Pennsylvania Turnpike was violating federal law by using turnpike tolls to help pay for public transit. U.S. District Judge Yvette Kane approved a motion by lawyers for the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-04-2019 Settlement deal, including $200,000 fine, worked out on Mariner East pipeline problem Energy Transfer LP’s Sunoco Pipeline subsidiary has reached a compromise with state pipeline regulators over corrosion on its 88-year-old Mariner East 1 line. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission prosecutors filed a formal complaint against Sunoco in December questioning the “soundness of (its)... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-04-2019 Lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s transit funding dismissed A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit that could have cost Pennsylvania hundreds of millions of dollars a year in transportation funding. Transit agencies had been anxiously awaiting the decision from U.S. District Judge Yvette Kane. Had the suit been successful, the state stood... - Philadelphia Inquirer

04-04-2019 Judge rejects lawsuit over Pa. Turnpike toll hikes A federal judge is dismissing a lawsuit over Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increases that are financing payments to help fund transit agencies... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

12 04-04-2019 PennDOT seeks feedback on its winter performance The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation wants your feedback on how it performed during the winter season and is conducting an online survey through the first week of May. - Allentown Morning Call

04-04-2019 Philadelphia launches municipal IDs, joining other big cities Philadelphia residents can now obtain a city-issued photo ID, as the city announced Thursday they’re now accepting and processing applications. City Council passed legislation last year to create the municipal ID, modeled after those available in other big cities like New York and... - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

04-04-2019 Judge rejects lawsuit over Pennsylvania turnpike toll hikes A federal judge is dismissing a lawsuit over Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increases that are financing payments to help fund transit agencies... - AP

04-03-2019 Gov. Wolf: PA Can Lead Nation with Bipartisan Probation and Parole Reforms (Press Release)

04-03-2019 PUC Stresses Sales & Marketing Regulations for Competitive Suppliers... (Press Release)

04-03-2019 Allegheny Institute Policy Brief: Evaluating the hype regarding British... (Press Release)

04-03-2019 Policy Committee discusses future of transportation The House Democratic Policy Committee met Monday in Bucks County to learn more about the current state and projected future of transportation in Pennsylvania. State officials and experts spoke of the need to fund more upkeep projects while preparing citizens for the jobs of tomorrow. Meeting at Bucks County... - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

04-03-2019 State cracking on down on work zone speeders HARRISBURG – Motorists will soon have a little extra incentive to slow down and pay attention in work zones, as the state prepares to roll out speed cameras to monitor active road construction areas. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission joined with Flagger Force, a company... - Sunbury Daily Item

04-03-2019 Gov. Tom Wolf to visit Shamokin, discuss Restore Pennsylvania initiative SHAMOKIN — Gov.Tom Wolf will meet at noon today with city and Northumberland County officials for a tour of dilapidated properties and to promote his Restore Pennsylvania initiative, which he said will assist the county in its attack on blight. Wolf in January announced the infrastructure plan, which would be funded by... - Shamokin News-Item

04-03-2019 Hanover solicitor says district ‘will be made whole’ in bus overpayment issue HANOVER TWP. — Tuesday’s Hanover Area School Board meeting started with the student of the month, Justin Kopko, breaking down while thanking his grandparents, who raised him since he was 5. It ended with Attorney Bill Finnegan saying the district “will be made... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

13 04-03-2019 Bern Township awards bid to resurface parts of 10 roads The Bern supervisors awarded the bid for the township's 2019 road project at their meeting Tuesday night. One of the largest road projects in years, the work will resurface parts of 10 roads in the Greenfields and Prison Heights areas. The supervisors awarded the project to Pennsy Supply, a regional company... - Reading Eagle

04-03-2019 Perry Township residents complain about noise, lights from construction The Perry Township supervisors on Tuesday heard complaints about night construction work at a warehouse along Zions Church Road. Zions Church Road resident Bill Shirey said that lights from the construction site illuminate the whole neighborhood and that the noise is... - Reading Eagle

04-03-2019 Millcreek to use CDBG money to improve sidewalks Township will hold a public hearing on the proposal April 23. Millcreek Township plans to use the bulk of its 2019 state Community Development Block Grant funding to make sidewalks accessible. The township intends to use $223,850 of approximately $253,850 anticipated... - Erie Times-News

04-03-2019 Big issues unresolved between Wabtec, union workers in Erie Nearly a month after the union ended a nine-day strike, most of the big issues remain unresolved. Talks this past week between Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. and the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers at the former GE Transportation plant in Erie have produced agreement on a couple of... - Erie Times-News

04-03-2019 Nicholson looks to flood assistance Nicholson Borough Council hopes that with help from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, flooding impacts can be mitigated in the borough. At Monday’s meeting, mayor Charlie Litwin announced that NRCS has offered its services at little to no cost for the borough.... - Tunkhannock The New Age Examiner

04-03-2019 State plans improvements for Route 220 west of city he proposed construction to Route 220, which will create a 6-mile safety corridor, will sideline residents in favor of interstate itinerants, according to residents and emergency personnel. The construction, which extends 6 miles from the Fourth Street Merge with... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

04-03-2019 Police target aggressive drivers Aggressive drivers had a good reason to be wary in their travels on Tuesday, but responsible motorists were in for a bit of a tasty surprise if they were stopped by the police in Monroe County. As part of a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation initiative to combat... - Pocono Record

04-03-2019 PennDOT gets earful on U.S. 219 improvements SALISBURY – Users of and residents near Pennsylvania’s most southerly section of U.S. Route 219 are concerned about sharp curves, speeding vehicles and drivers who don’t obey traffic signals, among other hazards, according to feedback they gave PennDOT at a public meeting... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

04-03-2019 PennDOT hosts open house at courthouse PennDOT will hold an open house and plans display from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Cambria County Courthouse to inform the public of proposed local bridge rehabilitation projects throughout Cambria County. Bridges included in the proposed project include those on T-419 Black Burn... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

14 04-03-2019 Mahoning man takes on mission to clean up litter Ron Richman decided to clean up some litter in front of his house. Three weeks later, he’s two miles from home and still at it. The 58-year-old Mahoning Township man — a former Pennsylvania Game Commission officer — said he’s filled at least five dozen 30-gallon... - New Castle News

04-03-2019 Report: Trucker swerved to avoid pedestrian A semi truck pulling an empty trailer bed was headed south on North Main Street when it wound up on the lawn in front of the Odd Fellows building at Allegheny College shortly before 8 a.m. Monday. The Hafer Truck Service semi narrowly missed a curved brick entrance way... - Meadville Tribune

04-03-2019 Sunbury roadmaster: 'I've seen people get killed" on road work sites Steve Welker has witnessed plenty of hair-raising situations working on road sites across the state. “I’ve seen people get killed,” said Welker, who worked in the private industry until two months ago when he took over as Roadmaster in the city of Sunbury. Distracted motorists are a danger to the men and women working on roadways,... - Sunbury Daily Item

04-03-2019 Concerns raised over Blue Ridge Summit intersection WAYNE HEIGHTS — Some Blue Ridge Summit residents are concerned about their safety when traveling through the intersection of Route 16 and Monterey Lane in Washington Township. “I’m speaking for many of my neighbors who couldn’t be here tonight,” Eric Schlosser told supervisors during Monday night’s... - Waynesboro Record Herald

04-03-2019 Parkesburg Borough Council weighs police coverage agreement Parkesburg Borough Police Department has provided coverage for Avondale Borough in Chester County for the past 19 years, but that agreement may end this month. Chief Brian Sheller and council members said during Parkesburg Borough Council’s April 1 meeting they would like to continue the policing... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

04-03-2019 Allegiant Air begins Harrisburg-Sarasota flights Allegiant Air begins twice-weekly flights today between Harrisburg International Airport and Florida’s Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport. The Las Vegas-based airline is offering an introductory fare as low as $65 one-way for tickets bought by Friday for travel by May 29.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

04-03-2019 Boeing Whistle-Blower Claims to Be Investigated by Senate Committee The Senate Commerce Committee is investigating whistle-blower claims that Federal Aviation Administration safety inspectors who evaluated Boeing’s 737 Max airplane were not appropriately trained or certified. On Tuesday, the committee chairman, Senator Roger Wicker, Republican of... - New York Times

04-03-2019 Between Two Boeing Crashes, Days of Silence and Mistrust When a new Boeing 737 Max 8 plunged into the waters off Indonesia last October, a terrifying mystery confronted the aviation industry: What could have caused Lion Air Flight 610, flown by experienced pilots in good weather, to fall out of the sky just 12 minutes after takeoff?... - New York Times

15 04-03-2019 All eyes are watching as Boeing prepares software update months after Indonesia plane crash More than five months after a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 commercial jet went down in Indonesia, the manufacturer is still working on a software fix for the plane’s flight-control systems. The fix and its related pilot training are seen as important steps toward... - Washington Post

04-03-2019 Ohio legislature approves 10.5 cent gas-tax increase, 19 cents for diesel Ohio drivers will pay an extra 10.5 cents per gallon in state gasoline taxes starting July 1, and starting in the summer 2020, they will no longer need a front license plate. Those changes are part of a compromise two-year transportation budget that the legislature approved Tuesday.... - Columbus Dispatch

04-03-2019 Tech connection? United expanding its service to San Francisco For Pittsburghers who want get back to the city by the bay, United Airlines is making it easier. For the second consecutive year, the carrier is expanding its nonstop service into San Francisco from Pittsburgh International Airport. A seasonal nonstop that United offered from June 6 through Aug. 20 last... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-03-2019 Philadelphia to launch its municipal ID program Thursday, following in the footsteps of NYC, other cities Philadelphia plans on Thursday to officially launch its photo identification card — called the PHL City ID — an option meant to help Philadelphians who, due to citizenship status, poverty, or other circumstances, can’t easily get state-issued IDs. The municipal IDs are designed to provide identification that people need... - Philadelphia Inquirer

04-03-2019 Port Authority limits boarding at busiest bus route's popular Downtown stop The Port Authority is running a pilot project to limit the number of passengers who can get on its busiest route, P1 East Busway, at its busiest stop at Smithfield Street and Sixth Avenue, Downtown. For the pilot that began Monday, the authority is assigning route... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-02-2019 Senators Ward, Yaw Sponsor Measure to Exempt Milk Trucks from Winter Weather... (Press Release)

04-02-2019 Another report calls state levies on Pennsylvania Turnpike unsustainable A coalition of transportation agencies Monday issued the latest alert on a looming transportation crisis, driven in part by the law that ordered the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to send $450 million a year to PennDOT. The Southeast Partnership for Mobility, which includes the Southeastern... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-02-2019 Stakeholders look to navigate potholes and boost electric vehicles in PA Once the stuff of science fiction fantasy, more Pennsylvanians than ever are opting for electric vehicles. But the commonwealth still trails its regional neighbors in adoption of the technology and state officials are working to ensure that infrastructure is growing to support the burgeoning... - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

16 04-02-2019 City to study, redesign five-point intersection in Larimer used by 'vulnerable' pedestrians City to study, redesign five-point intersection in Larimer used by 'vulnerable' pedestrians The city plans to fix a dangerous intersection in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood and wants to hear ideas from the community. The five-point intersection of Frankstown Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Lowell... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-02-2019 Fees on Uber trips and hybrid vehicles: Where the state might look to pay for public transportation Charging a dollar fee per trip to Uber users, hitting hybrid and electric car owners with a new annual fee, and raising the state’s 3.07 percent personal income tax to 3.17 percent are among the ideas that a group of southeastern Pennsylvania leaders have pulled together to address the... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

04-02-2019 Local airport getting waiver HOLLIDAYSBURG — Three central Pennsylvania airports, including the Altoona-Blair County Airport, are among 11 expecting to receive temporary waivers so they can continue offering daily passenger flights. The U.S. Department of Transportation, in an order distributed Monday,... - Altoona Mirror

04-02-2019 Editorial: Long road to Topton creek fix a bad sign for Legislature The Issue: A bill to OK a simple land swap to repair Toad Creek finally moves in Harrisburg. Our Opinion: The partisanship that made this cost-free trade take two years needs to be addressed. The saga of a simple land swap in Topton is nearly over. Whether that marks... - Reading Eagle

04-02-2019 A new Pennsylvania bill could overturn Philadelphia's ban on electric scooters As Pennsylvania considers a bill to legalize electric scooters on public streets, Penn students may soon find themselves zipping across campus. The City of Philadelphia is currently considering approving the use electric scooters, and a new bill introduced in February in the... - Daily Pennsylvanian

04-02-2019 New state rep visits Riverside Elementary, boosts seat belts in school buses TAYLOR — Riverside first-grader Rylie Secor and her classmates gathered Monday to advocate for seat belts in school buses during a visit from state Rep.-elect Bridget Malloy Kosierowski. Rylie was thrown from her school bus seat in December after the bus hit a... - Scranton Times

04-02-2019 Capitol Roundup: Study shows Pa. seniors account for negative economic impact WILKES-BARRE — A new study shows Pennsylvania ranks 12th when it comes to seniors having a negative impact on the state’s economy. SeniorLiving.org recently released a study on the economic impact of seniors by state using the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

04-02-2019 Bus firm hopes to avoid litigation with Crestwood Rinehimer Bus Lines issued a statement explaining the company wishes “to avoid costly litigation” with the Crestwood School District and wants to resolve the current dispute “by continuing to provide safe and reliable transportation to the children and families of the district.”... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

17 04-02-2019 Detours loom on Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Twp. WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Township officials are trying to prepare residents and motorists for detours planned for state Route 309 that will be in place this fall. In late October or early November, cars will be detoured off Route 309 in both directions prior to the Northampton Street overpass during the evening... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

04-02-2019 Freeland working to solve stormwater runoff issues FREELAND — The 600 block of Centre Street may be able to get drainage at Front Street. Front Street has drainage issues which affect the Freeland Public Park pavilion. But those issues may be solved by a project to install new sidewalks along Front Street by the park.... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

04-02-2019 Boeing Fix for 737 Max Software Is Delayed Boeing’s software update for its troubled 737 Max jetliners has been delayed after the company deemed further work was needed on the fix before it was submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration. The Max, Boeing’s newest plane, was grounded by regulators around the... - New York Times

04-02-2019 Ohiopyle is open for business, but closed because of construction Ohiopyle business owners ramping up for spring tourists are thwarted by closed roads, traffic cones and construction materials piled high in parking lots. A massive Pennsylvania Department of Transportation rehabilitation project is slated to break between Memorial Day and Labor Day for Ohiopyle’s... - Washington Observer-Reporter

04-02-2019 Transportation board meets today to vote on service changes, new options to Mon Valley The Washington County Transportation Authority board will meet at 6 p.m. today at the transit center, 50 E. Chestnut St., Washington, to vote on the proposed addition of a Mon Valley bus route. Alexandra Sakalik, outreach and marketing coordinator for Freedom Transit,... - Washington Observer-Reporter

04-02-2019 Police aim to curb aggressive driving with stepped-up enforcement HERMITAGE — Local police are participating in a statewide effort to help curb aggressive driving. PennDOT promoted the initiative, called the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education program, Thursday at Hermitage Police Department. The program began March 18 and will run through April 28.... - Sharon Herald

04-02-2019 Gas prices approach $3 per gallon in Meadville A 10-cent hike for a gallon of gas in the Meadville area on Monday was no April Fools' Day joke. Prices climbed to $2.95 per gallon to outdistance the average jump across the state of 1.1 cents per gallon to $2.80, according to the online gas price website GasBuddy.com. Prices in Pennsylvania are 14.1 cents per... - Meadville Tribune

04-02-2019 Navigating Carlisle: Borough says no to snow emergency ordinances During any significant snowfall, it’s not unusual for municipalities around the county to declare a snow emergency. Carlisle is always absent from that list of municipalities because it does not have an ordinance allowing a snow emergency to be declared. Borough Manager Matt Candland said enacting such an ordinance was discussed... - Carlisle Sentinel

18 04-02-2019 Parking meter update on Carlisle's workshop agenda Carlisle Borough Council will hear an update on its plan to replace outdated parking meters with new smart meters at its Wednesday workshop meeting. The workshop meeting is at 6 p.m. in the borough hall, 53 W. South St. The plan for new parking meters was first presented during the... - Carlisle Sentinel

04-02-2019 Navigating Carlisle: Parking tightens as downtown grows There’s a basic equation at work in downtown revitalization — as empty buildings in Carlisle’s downtown turn into restaurants and retail businesses, it’s going to be harder to find a place to park. “You may complain about parking. You may not be able to find a place to... - Carlisle Sentinel

04-02-2019 All eyes are watching as Boeing prepares software update, months after Indonesia plane crash More than five months after a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 commercial jet went down in Indonesia, the manufacturer is still working on a software fix for the plane’s flight control systems. The fix and its related pilot training are seen as important steps toward... - Washington Post

04-02-2019 Storm water authority debates state roads Members of the Clarion Borough Storm Water Authority discussed information from PennDOT's maintenance manual Publication 23 that wasn't "good news" at the March 14 meeting. "This is their (PennDOT's) most current take on this," said Clarion Borough treasurer and open records officer Todd Colosimo. "They don't take care of... - Clarion News

04-02-2019 City gets $256,600 grant for lazy river The City of Titusville will soon receive a hefty grant of $256,600 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to be put toward its newest addition to the Titusville Trail Town Master Plan, a lazy river along Oil Creek. According to City Manager Larry Manross, the construction of the lazy... - Titusville Herald

04-02-2019 The Energy 202: EPA's own adviser finds Trump's rollback of car rules could cost jobs An environmental adviser to the Trump administration projects that its attempt to reverse Obama-era fuel-efficiency standards could have a steep long-term toll on the U.S. economy and eventually cost the country hundreds of thousands of jobs. The research by an outside adviser picked by former Environmental... - Washington Post

04-02-2019 PG&E’s catastrophe is California’s energy opportunity The upside of Pacific Gas and Electric’s enormous bankruptcy crisis is that it gives California officials an unparalleled opportunity to turn the state’s largest utility into an engine of decarbonization, a conduit for changes needed to carry out California’s ambitious climate goals.... - Los Angeles Times

04-02-2019 On city parking problems and water meter appointments THE ISSUE A new study emphasizes just how dire the parking situation is in southern Lancaster city’s neighborhoods. The data compiled in the city’s first neighborhood parking study, done by Kimley-Horn, include vehicle counts, detailed maps of land uses and responses to an online survey. And... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

19 04-02-2019 Pa. PUC says Uber should improve its background check system Michael Sorg, a part-time ride-hailing driver, recalls both of his background checks with Lyft and Uber just over two years ago. They couldn’t have been more different. Not far from his home in Beechview, Mr. Sorg, 38, met with a woman representing Lyft at a Dunkin Donuts parking lot in Dormont.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-02-2019 Water bills could climb 18% for some Bethlehem area customers Customers in one Northampton County community who fought a 2016 water rate hike face another increase this year. Community Utilities of Pennsylvania Inc. said Monday it filed to increase annual revenues by $361,000 with the state Public Utility Commission. If... - Allentown Morning Call

04-02-2019 School buses need to be safer for the children that ride them | Opinion If you watch the news, or read a newspaper, nearly every week there is a story about a school bus involved in an accident. Some of these stories do not have happy endings. There are a lot of times where there are injuries, some very severe; i.e., when a young boy is thrown out of the bus window and suffered a broken neck... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

04-02-2019 State names big dairy products manufacturer for Route 33 interchange: New Jersey’s Readington Farms The mystery dairy products manufacturer coming to Palmer Township is a mystery no more. It took a state public financing request to reveal the name of the company that is planning to bring about 200 jobs to the Chrin Commerce Centre off Route 33: Readington Farms of Hunterdon County, N.J., a subsidiary of giant... - Allentown Morning Call

04-02-2019 Another report calls state levies on Pennsylvania Turnpike unsustainable A coalition of transportation agencies Monday issued the latest alert on a looming transportation crisis, driven in part by the law that ordered the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to send $450 million a year to PennDOT. The Southeast Partnership for Mobility, which includes the Southeastern... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-02-2019 Policy Committee discusses future of transportation The House Democratic Policy Committee met Monday in Bucks County to learn more about the current state and projected future of transportation in Pennsylvania. State officials and experts spoke of the need to fund more upkeep projects while preparing citizens for the jobs of tomorrow. Meeting at Bucks County... - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

04-01-2019 Warren hosts Policy Committee hearing on transportation in Newtown (Press Release)

04-01-2019 Leg Reg Review #7 - 04/01/2019 Provided by Phillips Associates (Press Release)

04-01-2019 Transportation Funding Report Issued Today Urges Lawmakers to Act Now (Press Release)

04-01-2019 PUC Approves First-Ever Review on Uber's Driver Background Check Process in... (Press Release)

04-01-2019 Gov. Wolf Outlines How Restore PA Will Benefit Municipalities (Press Release)

20 04-01-2019 Wolf's plan gaining support EAST STROUDSBURG — On Thursday, state and local officials touted a proposal by Gov. Tom Wolf that could help fund the demolition of blighted sites like the former International Boiler Works factory in East Stroudsburg — but that’s not all the governor’s plan has to... - Pocono Record

04-01-2019 PennDOT to rehab city bridge PennDOT plans to rehabilitate a city-owned bridge that takes Coleridge Avenue over Mill Run in Llyswen so it can remove a weight restriction and extend the structure’s life. The project will begin during the first week of September and take about six weeks, according to Dustin Ohler, bridge project manager for PennDOT... - Altoona Mirror

04-01-2019 Work on I-99 looms again, but with differences PennDOT is planning for construction again this year on I-99 north of Altoona, and again there will be lane restrictions — as there were much of last year, officials said at the annual District 9 outreach on Thursday. “Here we go,” said Blair County Commissioner Ted Beam Jr., who was... - Altoona Mirror

04-01-2019 Road crews prepare for their annual spring fixing of potholes Like the robin, the opening of asphalt manufacturing plants is a sign of spring, of a new season of repairing those pesky potholes that popped up over winter. Once the plants begin to produce hot asphalt in March or April, road crews can make permanent repairs to potholes, both the new ones and those... - Reading Eagle

04-01-2019 Sheepskin Trail routing options through Uniontown hinging on railroad company response The Sheepskin Trail is slated to run through the city of Uniontown, one way or another. The Uniontown Redevelopment Authority recently received a preliminary trail design presentation from K2 Engineering for the city’s portion of the trail. Presenting the plan was K2 Engineering project manager Brian Lake alongside... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

04-01-2019 Ohiopyle is open for business, but closed because of construction Ohiopyle business owners ramping up for spring tourists are thwarted by closed roads, traffic cones and construction materials piled high in parking lots. A massive Pennsylvania Department of Transportation rehabilitation project is slated to break between Memorial Day and Labor Day for Ohiopyle’s... - Washington Observer-Reporter

04-01-2019 Navigating Carlisle: Pedestrian safety a concern for college, police As a campus safety officer and crossing guard at Dickinson College, Rob Stone said he has seen just about everything. Drivers tell him he blends in with the background on the street despite his fluorescent yellow jacket and equally bright gloves. He yells to alert students who start to walk right into the street because... - Carlisle Sentinel

04-01-2019 Navigating Carlisle: Making room for bicycles on Carlisle streets In a town like Carlisle where driving takes center stage, where do other forms of transportation fit in? Riding a bicycle fits the transportation niche between driving and walking, and has been facilitated in the borough through its Bicycle and Pedestrian Network. The borough has a 13.8-mile network of trails and enhanced streets... - Carlisle Sentinel

21 04-01-2019 Officials hope to avoid $79K reimbursement LEWISBURG — Union County officials hope PennDOT will retroactively accept a final report on two bridge projects completed with state money and not require a $79,330.40 reimbursement recommended in a state audit. Shawn McLaughlin, Union County planning and economic development director,... - Sunbury Daily Item

04-01-2019 Administrators respond to parents’ bus-related concerns LEWISTOWN — In response to concerns raised by parents regarding an incident that purportedly occurred last week on a Mifflin County School District school bus, the administration released a statement to parents and guardians on Friday, informing them of the proper procedures to report... - Lewistown Sentinel

04-01-2019 Conditional use hearing set for Susquehannock Heights FLEMINGTON — Flemington Borough Council will hold a conditional use hearing to either approve or deny the construction of a 32-unit housing complex for the elderly called Susquehannock Heights. Susquehannock Heights would consist of a two-story building with an open... - Lock Haven Express

04-01-2019 PennDOT program boosts projects A program initiative through PennDOT can be a benefit for future projects slated for Huntingdon County. - Huntingdon Daily News

04-01-2019 Park Avenue Plan: The focus is simple but it is correct There is nothing magical about the Park Avenue Plan approved by City Council recently. It may take up to 15 years to complete and the goals are not grandiose. But if the plan is accomplished to a significant degree, it will amount to a major step forward for the city of Williamsport.... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

04-01-2019 Grant will improve Fourth Street, near Lycoming College Two state lawmakers have secured a $621,416 grant through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to fund streetscape and pedestrian safety improvements on East Fourth Street. State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, and state Rep. Jeff Wheeland, R-Loyalsock Township, confirmed the financing was approved at a recent... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

04-01-2019 Route 30 Bypass getting electronic safety signs COATESVILLE — Construction will begin in the next several weeks on a $5.8 million project to install Intelligent Transportation Systems on the Route 30 Bypass in Coatesville, and in Caln, Valley, and West Sadsbury townships. It's part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's planned work... - West Chester Daily Local News

04-01-2019 Media residents gripe about parking shortage MEDIA — More than half of council’s two-hour meeting was consumed by one topic: Parking. Residents and business owners expressed frustration and concern. Hearing complaints repeatedly, council members said they have no short-term solutions. President Brian Hall replied to the first few speakers during the public... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

22 04-01-2019 Upper Chi gets $675G from state for streetscapes project UPPER CHICHESTER — The township is one of 106 municipalities in the state to receive a new project approval via the Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF). The award, in the amount of $675,000, will be used towards the Chichester Avenue Streetscape project. This funding, along with other grants and PennDOT projects will result in a... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

04-01-2019 Funding approved for trail projects WEST CHESTER — The Board of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has approved $3.67 million in grants for 22 multi-use trail projects throughout greater Philadelphia region. Projects include design and construction, as well as feasibility studies,... - Phoenixville News

04-01-2019 Several major airlines grounded planes Monday morning across U.S. because of software problem Several major airlines across the country grounded their planes Monday morning because of an outage with a software system. Greg Martin, a spokesman for the FAA, said the problem was with a system called Aerodata that’s produced by a vendor to track the weight and... - Washington Post

04-01-2019 Planes grounded from major airlines over software outage A software outage has grounded planes from several major airlines. The outage is affecting flights from airlines that include Southwest, Delta, and Jet Blue, The Washington Post is reporting. But FAA spokesman Greg Martin said the impact should be minimal in terms of... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

04-01-2019 Route 22/322 reopens after rock-clearing project Commuters heading towards Perry County will be happy. The portion of U.S. Route 22/322 westbound that was closed since March 18 for a rock-removal project has reopened. PennDOT spokesman Mike Crochunis said the highway reopened around 1:30 p.m. Saturday. PennDOT closed the road from a mile west of the Route 34 exit and Newport... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

04-01-2019 A winning partnership between industry and government [opinion] THE ISSUE Addressing workforce problems, High Concrete Group, Four Seasons Produce and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation have teamed up to subsidize a van that takes workers from five stops in Lancaster city to those two businesses in northern Lancaster County, LNP’s Jeff Hawkes... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

04-01-2019 New grants to fund trail-bridge, roundabouts and Route 30 east upgrades A new round of state funding is boosting efforts to reopen a rail-trail bridge in Martic Township, build two roundabouts in East Hempfield and improve pedestrian safety on Route 30 East in East Lampeter. The local grants — totaling $3.75 million — are among 106... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

04-01-2019 Several PennDOT Projects, Traffic Could Make Getting To Opening Day Difficult PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pirates fans trying to get to PNC Park Monday for the first home game of the season may encounter some roadblocks. The Pittsburgh Pirates released in a statement today that several PennDOT projects and lane closures around the region could cause headaches for... - KDKA

23 04-01-2019 Local, national gas prices continue to rise in spring run-up After a week of no change, gas prices are on the rise again in the Pittsburgh area. Pittsburgh gas prices have risen 1.3 cents per gallon in the past week to an average of $2.78 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 731 stations. Prices are 10.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, but 8.9... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-01-2019 Southern Beltway this summer: $1M worth of work every day Here’s how busy crews building the 13-mile Southern Beltway along the Allegheny- Washington County border will be this summer: At some point, when the first of seven contracts is finishing and overlaps with the last that is just beginning, the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be spending more than $1... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-01-2019 Officials developing a Plan B if feds fail to chip in funds for Bus Rapidransit T Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and the Port Authority still have high hopes of getting half of the $195.5 million from the federal Department of Transportation for the proposed Bus Rapid Transit system between Downtown and Oakland. But just in case that money isn’t available when construction is ready... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-01-2019 Project to rebuild part of Bigelow Boulevard on Pitt campus could begin this fall Project to rebuild part of Bigelow Boulevard on Pitt campus could begin this fall The block of Bigelow Boulevard that separates the Cathedral of Learning from the student union at the University of Pittsburgh could get a major makeover beginning in the fall.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-01-2019 Manhattan tolls, plastic bag ban approved in New York budget New York’s Democrat-controlled Legislature on Sunday passed a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags and expected to approve tolls for driving into the busiest sections of Manhattan starting in 2021 as part of a $175.5 billion state budget agreement worked out with Gov. Andrew... - AP

04-01-2019 Hazelwood Green streets, trail open site to public for the first time in decades The Hazelwood Green development site officially opened to the public for the first time in more than a century on Monday morning. The former industrial site’s 178-acre waterfront brownfield has been one of the largest pieces of undeveloped property in the city. Almost all... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-01-2019 Road Warrior: What will New York's congestion tax mean for Lehigh Valley commuters? With its Metropolitan Transportation Authority facing $15 billion of debt service payments, New York passed the nation’s first congestion tax, meaning drivers heading into the busiest parts of Manhattan will face a new round of tolls starting in the end of 2020.... - Allentown Morning Call

04-01-2019 AAA campaign focuses on Distracted Driving Awareness Month Drivers talking on a cellphone are up to four times as likely to crash compared to other drivers, while those who text while driving being up to eight times as likely to be involved in a crash, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. AAA East Central, located in... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

24 04-01-2019 Airlines’ on-time average drops; Spirit leads area carriers On-time arrivals of U.S. flights were down overall in January, but several airlines with area operations ranked near the top for sticking close to their schedules, according to the latest Air Travel Consumer Report from the U.S. Department of Transportation.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-01-2019 Hiking and biking trail, roads open at Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood Green site Pittsburgh’s sprawling Hazelwood Green property along the Monongahela River opened to the public Monday for a first time in more than 100 years. Officials opened Blair Street, a $21 million thoroughfare formerly known as Signature Boulevard, providing the first public access to the 178-acre site... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-01-2019 British Airways offers Pittsburghers chance to win prizes, free flight British Airways and VisitBritain is promoting its new non-stop service from Pittsburgh to London Heathrow by taking a — small — step back in time. A red phone booth is set up on the North Shore today as a way to celebrate the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener, giving attendees the chance to win... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-01-2019 Community input sought for redesign of dangerous Pittsburgh intersection Pittsburgh wants residents to weigh in on the redesign of a dangerous four-way intersection in Larimer. The city is planning improvements for the intersection of Frankstown and Lincoln avenues and Enterprise and Lowell streets and wants community input for redesigning safety features and travel improvements.... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

04-01-2019 Did You Get The Memo? Vaccinations, mandatory minimums and vehicle registration stickers It was a busy week in the state Capitol — Gov. Tom Wolf signed the first bill of the session into law, strengthening penalties for public officials convicted of felonies. In the House, legislators argued over a bill that would end cash assistance payments to needy Pennsylvanians, while... - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

04-01-2019 Stakeholders look to navigate potholes and boost electric vehicles in PA Once the stuff of science fiction fantasy, more Pennsylvanians than ever are opting for electric vehicles. But the commonwealth still trails its regional neighbors in adoption of the technology and state officials are working to ensure that infrastructure is growing to support the burgeoning... - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

03-31-2019 Nest debris The newest addition to the Hays eagle nest is … a plastic bag. Flown in by the eaglets’ father this week and still visible within the nest, the bag highlights the breathtaking amount of garbage present along roadways, railways, and waterways in Allegheny County.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

03-31-2019 How much do highway signs cost? $11.8 million for Southern Beltway With apologies to the Five Man Electrical Band, there will be a “sign, sign, everywhere a sign” along the Southern Beltway. About $11.8 million worth. That’s how many signs it will take to direct motorists and try to keep them safe on the 13-mile toll road under construction on the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

25 03-31-2019 Southern Beltway this summer: $1M worth of work every day Here’s how busy crews building the 13-mile Southern Beltway along the Allegheny- Washington County border will be this summer: At some point, when the first of seven contracts is finishing and overlaps with the last that is just beginning, the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be spending more than $1... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

03-31-2019 $30 million worth of state road, bridge repairs expected this year in Crawford County Ever wonder when a certain road will finally see repaving or a bridge see repair? There are 21 construction projects totaling more than $30 million in store for Crawford County's state roads and bridges in 2019, according to an announcement made Friday by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation... - Philadelphia Inquirer

03-31-2019 Pedestrian paradise? Street closure near Independence Mall is a history lesson of sorts An 8-foot-deep hole at the intersection of Fifth and Chestnut Streets in the middle of Philadelphia’s historic district disrupted vehicle traffic but, on a sun-soaked Saturday, proved fascinating to those on foot. Crews from the Philadelphia Water Department had opened up Fifth Street... - Philadelphia Inquirer

03-31-2019 How potholes are formed and fixed in Philly Philadelphians’ soured relationship with potholes runs deep, but the season for bumpy roads is back. Spring means the beginning of the end for freeze-and-thaw cycles that can lead to treacherous terrain for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. And it’s time for pothole repairs to get into full swing.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

03-31-2019 Ideology grounds FAA Whatever else might come of the investigation into the certification of Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft, the case already has demonstrated the consequences of shortchanging regulatory agencies. Two new 737 Max aircraft, one in Indonesia and one in Ethiopia, crashed... - Scranton Times

03-31-2019 Appeals court ruling could affect Ciavarella’s sentence In the ongoing dispute between Crestwood School District and Rinehimer Bus Lines, the law firm representing Rinehimer issued a written statement Saturday stressing a desire to find “an amicable resolution” and explaining the company’s position. The letter came from Pugliese, Finnegan, Shaffer and Ferentino LLC and... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

03-31-2019 Pat Howard: Viaduct backers just can't let it go My eyes rolled as usual, but hardly in surprise. This newspaper brought word last week that members of Erie CPR Connect + Respect had filed another petition with a federal appeals court over saving a bridge that has already been demolished. Of course they did.... - Erie Times-News

03-31-2019 16.8 percent rate hike proposed for Lehigh Valley natural gas: How to weigh in The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission wants to hear from UGI Utilities Inc. customers on a proposed rate hike that would generate $71.1 million in new revenue for the company. Two hearings are scheduled for Monday, April 22, in Harrisburg, and customers can comment either in-person or by telephone.... - Easton Express-Times

26 03-31-2019 Navigating Carlisle: State roads limit borough options If there’s one answer that has the potential to frustrate Carlisle residents who bring concerns about streets and traffic to the borough council, it’s this: "It’s a state road." The borough is crisscrossed by state roads that require PennDOT backing for changes, including changes as small as adding a sign.... - Carlisle Sentinel

03-31-2019 In the Spotlight: After 30 years with PennDOT, Greg Penny is ready to travel new roads in retirement In past years, if Greg Penny wasn't at work, he could be found climbing mountains all over the United States. Now, since his retirement in early March after 30 years as community relations coordinator at PennDOT, Penny plans to get to know his local community better.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

03-31-2019 Study quantifies what residents know: Parking is tough in Lancaster's south neighborhoods The data that consulting firm Kimley-Horn collected on parking in Lancaster’s south-side neighborhoods make it clear that the situation is challenging, to say the least. Here's what the Lancaster parking study says about downtown Local News Here's what the Lancaster parking study says about downtown... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

03-31-2019 California hiked its gas tax for road repairs, yet ‘poor’ bridges have multiplied, data show When large chunks of concrete fell from the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in February, temporarily closing the major traffic artery across San Francisco Bay, motorists were reminded of longstanding concerns over California’s aging road system that drove the state to raise the gas tax in 2017 to pay... - Los Angeles Times

03-31-2019 With drivers fuming over low pay, Mayor Garcetti takes heat for celebrating with Lyft If Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti had hoped to share in the excitement over San Francisco-based Lyft becoming one of the first gig economy companies to begin trading on public stock markets, he may be disappointed. Garcetti is facing criticism for appearing with Lyft executives at an event... - Los Angeles Times

03-31-2019 In Ethiopia Crash, Faulty Sensor on Boeing 737 Max Is Suspected Black box data from a doomed Ethiopian Airlines flight suggests the crash was caused by a faulty sensor that erroneously activated an automated system on the Boeing 737 Max, a series of events suspected in an Indonesian disaster involving the same jet last year.... - New York Times

03-31-2019 Lyft’s Shares Jump in Trading Debut, Cementing Rise of the Gig Economy Owning a piece of the gig economy became a reality for millions on Friday when Lyft began trading on the public markets, signaling the start of a stream of stock offerings expected from high-profile technology companies this year. Lyft’s shares rose 8.7 percent in its first day of trading after... - New York Times

03-29-2019 PHIA: Consider the problem identified (Press Release)

03-29-2019 Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) Newsletter - Mar. 2019 (Press Release)

03-29-2019 PA Turnpike Commission Meeting Agenda for April 2, 2019 (Press Release) 27 03-29-2019 Democratic Primary, Nuclear Power, and Turnpike Finances on PA Newsmakers (Press Release)

03-29-2019 Gov. Wolf Visits Beaver County, Details How Restore PA Can Help Offset Loss... (Press Release)

03-29-2019 10,000 Friends of PA: From The President: PA's Potentially Catastrophic... (Press Release)

03-29-2019 Center for Rural PA: Rural Perspectives for March/April 2019 (Press Release)

03-29-2019 KTFC Update Vol. 8 Issue 5 (Press Release)

03-29-2019 New member appointed to Port Authority Board The state House Democratic Caucus appointed state Rep. Austin Davis, D-McKeesport, to the Port Authority’s board of directors. House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, appointed Mr. Davis to replace former Rep. Dom Costa of Morningside, who lost his re-election bid... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

03-29-2019 State Rep. Austin Davis named to Port Authority board State Rep. Austin Davis, D-McKeesport, was appointed Thursday to the Port Authority of Allegheny County board of directors by House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody. The move puts Davis in a position to have more oversight on public transportation services and issues in and around Pittsburgh and Allegheny... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

03-29-2019 State attorney general denies Penn Hills school board’s investigation request State attorney general denies Penn Hills school board’s investigation request After an Allegheny County grand jury recommended no criminal charges in the Penn Hills School District’s financial crisis, the state Attorney General has denied the school board’s request for a subsequent... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

03-29-2019 Great bicycle rides in central Pennsylvania and beyond Spring has arrived, and a weekend with forecasts calling for temperatures to brush 70 degrees is beckoning. For some, it may be their first chance to pull their bicycles out of storage and find a trail to ride. If you’re looking for good rides, in central Pennsylvania and beyond,... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

03-29-2019 How high will Pa. Turnpike fares go? (And other numbers you should know) The Pennsylvania Turnpike is increasingly becoming known for high fares and higher debt loads, thanks in no small part to policy decisions made more than a decade ago to ask the toll road to help pay for other transportation systems around the state. Here’s a look at some of the numbers that the highway’s operators,... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

03-29-2019 PennDOT will discuss 219 plans at meeting PennDOT will air its plans for the section of U.S. Route 219 between the new Somerset- Meyersdale bypass and the Pennsylvania-Maryland border at a meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, 385 Ord St. The project team will gather public input on land-use issues,... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

28 03-29-2019 PennDOT, police target aggressive driving Speed reduction enforcement is part of the statewide aggressive driving enforcement initiative. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police and police departments in Mercer County on Thursday held a news conference to increase traffic safety by highlighting the dangers of aggressive... - Erie Times-News

03-29-2019 To brine or not to brine? There is still no permissible avenue for brine from conventional oil and gas wells to be spread on roads through Pennsylvania. A bill in the General Assembly appears to be trying to change that. The genesis of the de facto moratorium placed on brine spreading — used... - Warren Times Observer

03-29-2019 Our view: Joint action on Erie LERTA is welcome Heightened dialogue and collaboration among the region’s biggest local government entities have been among the more welcome developments in Erie’s recent political history. Erie Mayor Joe Schember set the tone soon after taking office just over a year ago. When he announced plans to finally take the Erie Refocused... - Erie Times-News

03-29-2019 Expect lots of I-81 construction starting in June A two-year plan to repave Interstate 81 north and south between Dunmore in Lackawanna County and Hanover Twp. in Luzerne County will begin in June. Two lanes will remain open during daytime construction with work-zone speed limits reduced from 55 mph to 45 mph. Any narrowing to one lane or a... - Scranton Times

03-29-2019 LCTA board at odds with executive director It looks like Luzerne County Transportation Authority Executive Director Norm Gavlick’s job could be in jeopardy, as he prepares to meet with the authority’s board of directors next month. On Thursday, Gavlick said some board members are playing politics, while... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

03-29-2019 FEMA visits Pottsville for assessment of flood damage on city’s streets POTTSVILLE — Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives toured areas of the city Thursday in their continuing effort to examine damage from the flooding in August. Tom Whitaker, city superintendent of streets, and City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar met with officials at city hall to discuss the damages. Whitaker... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

03-29-2019 Officials bullish on Washington County's economy The state of Washington County’s economy was the topic Thursday morning, and the consensus among officials was ... the state is great. “Washington County continues to maintain a leadership position in our region and state in creating economic growth, job opportunities and... - Washington Observer-Reporter

03-29-2019 Navigating Carlisle: Bringing an interstate into downtown Imagine the flow of vehicles traveling Interstate 81 on an average day trying to make their way through downtown Carlisle. It isn’t that much of a stretch. It’s a real scenario drivers, residents and public safety officials see with unsettling frequency in the... - Carlisle Sentinel

29 03-29-2019 Navigating Carlisle: Road diet accomplished its goals, tweaks still possible The history of transportation for those living and traveling through downtown Carlisle in the 2000s can be divided into two eras through the lens of one major project: the road diet. The road diet comes up when new road projects are announced, when traffic slows to a crawl on the main streets and at various times in between.... - Carlisle Sentinel

03-29-2019 Many roads in Chester County to be resurfaced next week KENNETT SQUARE—Motorists will encounter lane restrictions next week on U.S. 1 (Kennett Oxford Bypass) and Street Road, from 7: a.m. to 6 p.m., for resurfacing operations, as part of a project to repair and resurface 41 miles of state highway in Chester County, the Pennsylvania Department of... - Pottstown Mercury

03-29-2019 Funding approved for four trail projects in Chester County WEST CHESTER—The Board of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission this week approved $3.67 million in grants for 22 mutli-use trail projects throughout greater Philadelphia region. Projects include design and construction, as well as feasibility studies,... - Phoenixville News

03-29-2019 Allentown awarded $500K for American Parkway Bridge lighting The city of Allentown received an award of $500,000 from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority to go towards phase 3 of the American Parkway Bridge Lighting Project. The funding is part of the 105 Multimodal Transportation Funding Application, which the authority approved on... - Easton Express-Times

03-29-2019 Pickett hosts REAL ID informational seminar SAYRE — Starting in October of next year, Pennsylvanians who use their driver’s license as identification for domestic flights or to enter some federal facilities or military bases will find that their license is no longer a valid source of identification. - Towanda Daily Review

03-29-2019 Grants will assist agricultural projects in Franklin County HARRISBURG — Three state grants will fund improvement projects surrounding Franklin County farms. The first grant is a a $319,576 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which will improve the roads near the site of the Herbruck Poutly Ranch egg farm project in... - Waynesboro Record Herald

03-29-2019 Lawmakers boost public transit funds, but still no deal on gas tax increase House Speaker Larry Householder said he has the votes in his chamber and backing from the governor for an 11-cent-a-gallon gas-tax increase, plus 20 cents for diesel fuel. Now, the Glenford Republican says, it’s about getting Senate Republicans to go along. “The fact is, this is the job we were hired to do,” Householder... - Columbus Dispatch

03-29-2019 Lawsuit seeks recovery of $3 million in 'bogus fees' from Ohio BMV A lawsuit seeking the recovery of more than $3 million in “bogus fees” paid by Ohioans has been filed against the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in the Ohio Court of Claims. The action, which seeks class-action status to represent more than 2 million people, follows an investigation by The Dispatch that found BMV... - Columbus Dispatch

30 03-29-2019 More Than 200 Gallons Of Used Motor Oil Spill On Westmoreland Co. Road SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) – An oil spill covered a Westmoreland County road Thursday morning. The spill of used motor oil covered Mendon Road in South Huntingdon Township, according to a Facebook post from Westmoreland County Hazardous Materials Response Team.... - KDKA

03-29-2019 Congestion Pricing Could Generate Billions of Dollars, but Now the Suburbs Want a Piece As New York edges closer to adopting congestion pricing, a major obstacle could stand in the way: the suburbs, where many lawmakers and commuters see the plan as benefiting the city at their expense. Leaders in Albany announced this week that they had reached a consensus... - New York Times

03-29-2019 Eyes on the Road! (Your Car Is Watching) The automobile, in American life, has long been a hallmark of freedom. A teenager’s first driver’s license offers freedom from Mom and Dad. A new car and the open road bring the freedom to chase the American dream. But as more technology creeps in to help drivers, so, too, will systems... - New York Times

03-29-2019 Cabot donates to local fire companies Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation expects drilling to ramp up by 20 percent this year. “We had a great year last year,” said Cabot spokesman George Stark at a meeting with area fire company representatives last week in Harford, “and we don’t see that stopping.” In addition to meeting with fire companies in Harford, Cabot also met with... - Montrose Susquehanna County Independent

03-29-2019 Transit Workers Are Vulnerable To Assault, A Proposed Law Wants To Change That Being spit on, slapped, sucker-punched, and threatened with guns were just a few of the violations endured by Port Authority of Allegheny County drivers between January 2015 and January 2019. Such assaults appear to be increasing in frequency nationwide, according to... - WESA 90.5

03-29-2019 Advocates, Engineers Concerned Pennsylvania's Infrastructure Won't Withstand 'Weather Of The Future' Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale continued his climate change public hearing tour Thursday with a stop at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Environmental advocates, local leaders, architects and engineers testified. Many said there’s a need for state-wide intervention to prepare for the... - WESA 90.5

03-29-2019 Lyft’s trading debut to be watched by IPO-hungry tech companies All eyes will be on Lyft Inc. Friday as it makes its public market debut, after investors rushed to get a piece of the first big U.S. technology listing this year. Shares of the No. 2 U.S. ride-hailing company will start trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker LYFT after an initial public... - Los Angeles Times

03-29-2019 Port Authority dusts off skills competition for bus and rail operators Port Authority bus drivers and rail operators will participate in a local skills competition for the first time in more than 10 years. Called a “roadeo” for buses and “rodeo” for rail, authority operators will compete to see who’s best at their everyday skills such... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

31 03-29-2019 Parkway North HOV lanes closing until mid-June starting Tuesday Starting early Tuesday morning, the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes along the Parkway North will close for repairs that will take until the middle of June to complete, according to PennDOT. The HOV lanes are scheduled to close at 3 a.m. on April 2 for work that... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

03-29-2019 Did You Get The Memo? Vaccinations, mandatory minimums and vehicle registration stickers It was a busy week in the state Capitol — Gov. Tom Wolf signed the first bill of the session into law, strengthening penalties for public officials convicted of felonies. In the House, legislators argued over a bill that would end cash assistance payments to needy Pennsylvanians, while... - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

03-29-2019 Parkway North HOV lanes close Tuesday The HOV lanes on the Parkway North/Interstate 279 will close for about 10 weeks beginning Tuesday. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said the lanes will close at 3 a.m. Tuesday until mid June as part of the three-year reconstruction of the highway. The HOV lanes were used for mainline traffic the past two... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

32 Transportation Recap is a weekly report on legislative and executive actions on transportation related legislation and is compiled and edited by PLS.

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