In November, Pennsylvania approved the state's comprehensive transportation funding plan, also known as Act 89. The plan will spend $2.3 billion over five years, and has provided a productive signal to regional and local transportation planning.
"For the first time in at least six years, the Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) does not have an 'illustrative unfunded list.' Instead, thanks to the passage of Act 89, the recent state transportation funding legislation, the region will see an additional $1.2 billion for transportation improvements over the next four years," reports Christine Fisher.
The TIP "lists all transportation projects in DVRPC’s five-county Pennsylvania region that will receive federal funding over the next four years and all state capital improvement projects. For projects to advance, they must be included in the TIP."
In effect, the funding made available by Act 89 clears the way for the state to begin to clear the backlog. "This means long awaited projects like SEPTA’s City Hall/15th Street Station improvement will be able to move forward."
The new funding scenario has also compelled the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to complete an amendment updated of its long-range plan, completed last year.
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