BETHLEHEM, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Standing along Route 378 in Bethlehem, Governor Josh Shapiro said the rapid deployment road repair fund was a key part of this year’s state budget negotiations.
“So we worked to earmark $775 million for road repairs that would have to be driven out over the next 18 months,” he said.
Shapiro said the first $250 million from the fund is going out now, and there’s more than $500 million for 79 planned projects set to go out over the next year-plus.
“Sometimes we talk about things and it's years and years and years in the future. No,” he said. “We want to make sure this work happens right now. All told, each of our 67 counties will get dollars from this rapid deployment fund.”
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said the rapid road repair money is in addition to what is already a record funding level for PennDOT — more than $4 billion for road and bridge projects — and it means urgent projects can start earlier than originally planned.
“Investing in these additional and expanded projects also allows PennDOT maintenance crews and funds to focus on other activities that will help preserve our roads and bridges,” said Carroll.
Lawmakers said uncoupling State Police funding from highway dollars has been key to getting more roads fixed, and that 304 structurally deficient bridges have been addressed in the past three years.
