HARRISBURG - The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to boost state spending to repair deteriorating state roads and bridges and support mass transit and other operations by up to $2.5 billion annually within five years.
The 45-5 bipartisan vote came as the state transportation department made repairs to the Harrison Avenue Bridge - the latest symbol to Scranton residents of a crumbling transportation system. Repairs to the bridge's facade were undertaken after a chunk of the bridge broke off and struck the windshield of a passing vehicle last week.
The repairs to the Harrison Avenue bridge come in the wake of other area infrastructure problems in recent months involving damages to the Moosic Street Bridge in Scranton, a bridge collapse in the Carbondale area and bridges being posted for weight restrictions, said Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, who voted for the bill.
The transportation measure which faces uncertain prospects in the House as the state budget deadline looms seeks to address chronic revenue shortfalls created by Washington's rejection of a plan to toll Interstate 80 and less revenue yield from the state gasoline tax because of more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The bulk of new revenue in the Senate-approved bill would come by lifting a cap on the state Oil Franchise Tax paid by gasoline wholesalers over a three-year period. This would be offset somewhat by reducing the 12-cents-a-gallon state gasoline tax to 10 cents-a-gallon over two years.
The result could be an increase in the price of a gallon of gasoline by up to 28 cents during the next few years assuming that wholesalers pass on the costs to consumers.
In addition, the bill generates new revenue by increasing fees for driver's licenses and vehicle registrations while extending the renewal periods for both and adding new surcharges on traffic violations.
The measure creates dedicated funding to aid aviation, port and rail freight projects, particularly the development of short-line railroads to serve natural gas drilling operations in the Marcellus Shale region.
Meanwhile, a national transportation research group issued a report last week saying that poor road conditions cost each motorist in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area an average of $1,320 annually.
That cost breaks down to $539 per driver for vehicle damage from roads, $437 for lost time and fuel due to traffic congestion and $344 related to vehicle crashes, according to TRIP. The TRIP report highlights the economic impact of not addressing problems, said Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, Nanticoke, who supported the bill.
"Paying more and getting less should not be an option," he said.
Mr. Yudichak called the measure a jobs bill that can jump-start the long-stalled South Valley Parkway project and bring road improvements to ease traffic congestion at Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazleton.
The bill is needed to end long detours because of bridge postings that are hurting businesses, said Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp., who voted for it. She wants to include changes in the way state highway maintenance money is distributed to rural counties in a final version.
The bill is needed to help the state's dairy industry compete with New York State, said Sen. Gene Yaw, R-23, Williamsport, who voted for it.
"As a result of highway weight differential between states, Pennsylvania dairy operations are forced to put out bids with smaller loads, requiring the customers to unload more trucks and pay higher hauling costs," he said.
Both Mr. Blake and Mr. Yudichak said they have concerns about the impact of bill provisions to hike motorist fees. Mr. Yudichak said he would like to see some changes in this area as the bill moves along.
"This was not an easy vote for me," said Mr. Blake.
The House Republican majority has shown less interest in moving a transportation funding bill this month and Gov. Tom Corbett initially proposed a smaller $1.8 million funding boost.
The prospect of hot button issues getting tangled up together with the state budget prompted Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, D-43, Pittsburgh, to warn Republican leaders about linking votes on the transportation and liquor privatization bills.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com