Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell Signs Transportation Measure

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed. Rendell (D) signed a bill into law Wednesday to put nearly $1 billion on average in annual funding for the state’s roads, bridges and public transit systems.

“Transportation is a vital part of Pennsylvania's economy,” Rendell said. “Over the past four years, we have made record, annual state investments for the maintenance and construction of highways and bridges — $2.37 billion in 2006-07 compared to $1.78 billion in 2003-04 — but we could not keep up with our aging infrastructure, rising construction costs and dwindling federal resources.”

A “public-public” partnership between the state’s transportation department and turnpike commission makes investment nearly $1 billion without putting an undue burden on future generations, Rendell said.