The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Friday that it is immediately releasing over $470 million in unspent earmarks.
Pennsylvania has almost $29 million in unobligated earmarks that have to be used for transportation projects. The state has until Oct. 1 to notify the federal government what projects are planned for the money.
The completion of Route 219 as a four-lane highway is covered under the recently passed federal transportation bill that restored toll credits as matching funds so the money isn't needed for that. While $29 million isn't enough to build a highway, it can be used for various road and bridge repairs.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation should take a close look at what is the best use of the money. It shouldn't be automatically allocated to urban areas. The rest of the state needs highways and bridges, too.
Pennsylvania has almost $29 million in unobligated earmarks that have to be used for transportation projects. The state has until Oct. 1 to notify the federal government what projects are planned for the money.
The completion of Route 219 as a four-lane highway is covered under the recently passed federal transportation bill that restored toll credits as matching funds so the money isn't needed for that. While $29 million isn't enough to build a highway, it can be used for various road and bridge repairs.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation should take a close look at what is the best use of the money. It shouldn't be automatically allocated to urban areas. The rest of the state needs highways and bridges, too.
