'Nobody wants to pay' for road and bridge maintenance

Long-term funding solutions still elude state lawmakers, leaving maintenance of Pennsylvania’s roads, bridges and public transit systems in peril.

In the coming years, the problem will only become more significant.

A Wednesday meeting of the House Transportation Committee in Indiana County noted that electric vehicles have grown in the commonwealth, but it’s led to a drop in gas tax revenues, which make up the majority of the money used to repair roads and bridges.

“With all good things, there are also unforeseen consequences,” Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Philadelphia, said. “Every state in the nation has been seeing a decline in revenue generated from fuel taxes we all pay at the pump. We will face significant challenges.”

He noted a $9.4 billion shortfall for roads and bridges maintained by PennDOT, which doesn’t include roads and bridges maintained by local municipalities.

Nor are there easy solutions at hand.

“Everybody wants nice roads and bridges that aren’t weight limited, but nobody wants to pay for it,” Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, said. “I don't think the general public has an idea of where all the money comes from.”

Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana, called a transportation fix a “heavy lift.”

“It’s gonna be that way until we figure out this funding problem,” he said. “Local bridges are closed for a while because the local municipality simply can’t affor d to fix the bridge.”

Neilson hinted at one potential change: a local tax to boost revenues and a “global” approach.

“Hopefully it will help alleviate some local funding issues,” he said. “We have a couple bills we’ve introduced; haven’t entertained them yet, but looking seriously at some local funding options here because that’s not happening either.”

In July, Act 85 created an electric vehicle fee to replace lost gas tax revenues; drivers will pay $200 annually for about 63,000 EVs in the state. That fee will increase to $286 by 2030, with expected revenues of about $29 million.

Despite the funding problems, road conditions are getting better. In 2008, more than 6,000 bridges statewide had issues, said Rep. Brian Smith, R-Punxsutawney; now, fewer than 2,200 bridges need help.

For public transit systems big and small, though, progress isn’t so common.

“Without more state investment and increased fiscal certainty, we will face gaps and shortages in rural and urban areas alike,” said John Canyon, executive director of IndiGO, the transit authority of Indiana County.

Otherwise, agencies must carry out transit cuts or fare increases, he said.

“It’s critical that state leaders act swiftly this fall to head off the fiscal cliff that threatens transit,” Canyon said. “Long-term funding for transit must remain a top priority for this legislature.”

PennDOT Secretary Michael Carroll pointed out that the biggest transit agency in the state is in the most precarious position, but economically crucial.

“SEPTA is at the front of the line when it comes to financial challenges,” he said. “The economy of Pennsylvania, in many ways, is driven by the success in five counties in this state: Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, and Philadelphia.”