When it comes to transportation, Pennsylvania is on both ends of the spectrum. On the one hand, we have some old infrastructure that is in desperate need of repair or replacement. On the other hand, we are at the forefront of future transportation endeavors, such as the autonomous vehicle. With 360 miles of turnpike and nearly 9 million licensed drivers, issues around transportation and infrastructure are constantly evolving. Here are some of 2018’s biggest transportation developments.

Legislation

Throughout the last year, the legislature enacted a wide variety of bills that will make the Commonwealth’s roads safer.

  • Act 31/S.B. 880 (Langerholc, R-Cambria) increased the standard truck-trailer width for all trucks from 96 inches to 102 inches. Trucks up to this width will be permitted on highways unless an engineering and traffic study determines that the roadway width is insufficient.
  • Act 65/S.B. 564 (Yaw, R-Lycoming) requires PennDOT to install protective fencing when a bridge is built with a sidewalk or when a concrete barrier is installed, modified or rehabilitated on a bridge with a sidewalk.
  • Act 86/S.B. 172 (Argall, R-Schuylkill) established a five-year pilot program for automated speed enforcement systems in active work zones on federal aid highways only under the jurisdiction of PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission. A similar pilot program will be used in Philadelphia on U.S. Route 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard).
  • Act 131/S.B. 627 (Killion, R-Delaware) adds “qualified air freight forwarding companies” to the types of transportation companies that apportion their income to the Commonwealth and allocate nonbusiness income as provided under existing rules for railroad, truck, bus and airline companies. These companies are defined as those that (1) are engaged in the air freight forwarding business, (2) primarily use an airline with which it has common ownership and control, and (3) will use the revenue miles of that airline.
  • Act 159/S.B. 1098 (Browne, R-Lehigh) permits a school to adopt a side stop signal arm speed enforcement system to assist a bus driver in identifying a person and vehicle that illegally passes a school bus. A grant program will promote and increase school bus safety, education and training.
  • Act 95/H.B. 163 (Saccone, R-Allegheny) removes the federally mandated driver’s license suspensions for drug/controlled substance convictions as well as five state-imposed suspensions for additional crimes.

From the Department of Transportation

Earlier this year, PennDOT provided an update to the statewide Rapid Bridge Replacement program, which began in 2013. So far more than 500 poor-condition bridges have been replaced and are now open to traffic. Only 41 bridges are still under construction, with all construction anticipated to finish in 2019. Due to this project and other PennDOT investments, since January 2015 there are 819 more state-maintained bridges now in good condition. The number of bridges in poor condition has dropped by 1,044 and the number in fair condition has increased by 95. The number of state-owned bridges in poor condition has dropped to fewer than 3,000 from a high of more than 6,000 in 2008.

From the Administration

The Wolf administration announced the new Small Business Set Aside pilot program this year, aimed to increase opportunities for Small Business Enterprises (SBE). SBEs can compete to work as prime consultants on federally assisted engineering and design agreements on at least six projects. Interested SBEs must perform at least 50 percent of the contracted work and be registered as a business partner in the PennDOT’s Engineering and Construction Management System (ECMS). PennDOT may expand the program in the future depending on the results of the current pilot.

From the Turnpike Commission

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a six percent increase in toll rates for 2019. The Turnpike raised tolls 11 consecutive years and is expected to continue this trend every year until 2044. Funds are used not only for turnpike roads, but also for annual payments to PennDOT to fund other highway and bridge projects and public transit systems.

In other news

A lawsuit filed in March by a group of truckers says it’s unconstitutional for the Turnpike to use toll funds to help pay for public transit. The groups are seeking nearly $6 billion in refunds, equaling the amount of higher tolls trucks have had to pay since 2008, when payments for public transit projects began.

Both Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) and Rep. Bill Keller (D-Philadelphia) retired. In addition, Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) lost his reelection bid. New chairmen for those committees will be announced for the 2019-20 legislative session.