Pennsylvania's Transportation Funding Crisis

Federal rejection of Pennsylvania's application to toll I-80 has created a $472 million deficit in the state's transportation budget and could further delay repairs and improvements to the Commonwealth's highways, bridges and transit systems.

Making matters worse, the state Transportation Advisory Commission recently recommended that an additional $3.5 billion is needed to maintain existing state and local transportation infrastructure.

Safe and efficient transportation is a vital element of our region's economy and quality of life. Not only does it allow businesses to operate efficiently, but it drives commerce and generates jobs within the state.

The Chamber is committed to working with key decision-makers throughout the state to identify workable solutions that will provide investment in the state's infrastructure system. Together with the CEO Council for Growth, an affiliate of GPCC, and numerous other stakeholders along the US 422 corridor in Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties, we are advocating for the timely completion of the only multimodal transportation project in the Commonwealth to reduce highway congestion, expand capacity, and extend commuter rail service from Norristown to Reading.

In addition, our region's business community has historically supported broad-based, user-related revenue enhancements, as part of a fair and balanced approach to financing the state's transportation needs.

We commend the efforts of our state lawmakers in working to address the challenges facing Pennsylvania's highways, roads, bridges and transit systems and look forward to working with all stakeholders to advance this crucial endeavor.