Transportation & Infrastructure

The ceiling of the main Rotunda inside Pennsylvania’s Capitol building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Wolf signs dozens of bills including clean energy tax credits, fentanyl testing and driver’s ed

BY: - November 4, 2022

Gov. Tom Wolf signed a whopping 66 bills into law on Thursday, including measures to provide tax credits for zero-carbon energy production, to punish Pennsylvania Turnpike toll scofflaws, and to provide new tools to combat the opioid epidemic. The bills, passed near the end of the General Assembly’s 2021-22 session, also aim to expand the […]

At site of collapsed Pittsburgh bridge, Biden touts benefits of infrastructure law

BY: - October 20, 2022

Standing in front of the replacement for the collapsed Fern Hollow Bridge, President Joe Biden returned to Pittsburgh on Thursday, touting the benefits of federal infrastructure law and proclaiming “the resurgence of American manufacturing.” “Hello, Pittsburgh!” Biden said, opening his remarks to a crowd of about 100 onlookers, that included Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Lt. […]

Interior of a wastewater pipe

Wolf admin announces $236M for water infrastructure projects | Thursday Morning Coffee

BY: - October 20, 2022

Fifteen counties will share in the money, which is a mix of state and federal funds.

COMMENTARY
Raw sewage bubbles up in the front yard of a home in Jackson, Mississippi, on Oct. 20, 2021. Rory Doyle/The Washington Post via Getty Images

How to steer money for drinking water, sewer upgrades to those who need it most | Opinion

BY: - October 11, 2022

If a historic increase in federal infrastructure funding is managed smartly, it can right equally historic wrongs.

The south Portico of the White House

Pa. leaders at White House forum to ‘shine a spotlight’ on recovery | Thursday Morning Coffee

BY: - September 29, 2022

Elected leaders from across the commonwealth will convene at the White House this morning for the latest installment in an ongoing series of meetings aimed at “shining a spotlight” on the ground-level impacts of the Biden administration’s post-pandemic recovery efforts. Mayors from Aliquippa, Beaver County; Allentown, Gettysburg, and Scranton are confirmed attendees at the White House’s “Communities in […]

Audit recommends lawmakers act to ease Pa. Turnpike’s financial squeeze on motorists

BY: - September 8, 2022

Despite a reduction in its annual payments to the state Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission faces significant financial challenges to repay its debts and fund capital projects, state Auditor General Timothy DeFoor said in an audit report. In the audit released Tuesday, DeFoor said the annual toll increases required to meet the commission’s […]

DEP to host public hearing on strengthening Pa.’s power grids | Monday Morning Coffee

BY: - August 29, 2022

“To develop a grid-strengthening support program that’s customized to meet Pennsylvania’s specific challenges and opportunities, we need to hear from a diverse range of Pennsylvanians, including residents, community leaders and advocates, local government leaders, small business owners, health care and emergency personnel, and educators,” DEP Acting Secretary Ramez Ziadeh said.

COMMENTARY
Driver behind the wheel

On the road, as in life, there’s a balance between freedom and responsibility | Ray E. Landis

BY: - August 28, 2022

A trait of United States society generally celebrated throughout our history has been the “rugged individualism” of Americans. Sadly, however, much of that “rugged individualism” has morphed into an uncaring selfishness which has become more pervasive in the era of Donald Trump. I was reminded of this when reading the letter that appeared in last […]

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia on Friday 8/19/22.

Philly gets $25M federal grant to fix its most dangerous streets

BY: - August 22, 2022

The money will pay for upgrading traffic signals, adding new paving, signage, speed bumps, and fixing potholes.

COMMENTARY

The evidence proves it: Red light cameras don’t work | Capital-Star Letters

BY: - August 21, 2022

By James Sikorski Jr. You can’t be serious saying that speed cameras are a success in Philly and the rest of Pennsylvania (In Philly, Roosevelt Boulevard anti-speeding program ruled a success, Capital-Star, 8/16/22). When I looked at automated traffic enforcement, a lot of problems with red-light cameras over the years, which included more crashes and accuracy problems. With […]

Top Biden WH official to visit Pa. to tout infrastructure law investments

BY: - August 19, 2022

A senior Biden administration official will travel to Pennsylvania next week to plug the benefits of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law in the Keystone State. White House Infrastructure Coordinator, and senior administration adviser Mitch Landrieu, will make stops in suburban Pittsburgh and Coatesville next Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, the White House said in a […]

Driver behind the wheel

PennDOT program offers a second chance to drivers facing suspension | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - August 17, 2022

For many drivers, losing their license means losing their livelihood, PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said.