Lawmakers poised to work on transportation plan

(Harrisburg) — Governor Corbett is getting ready to unveil his transportation funding plan, and lawmakers say they’re poised to act on it.

State Senate Transportation Committee Chair John Rafferty says his chamber will be “assertive” when it comes to closing the commonwealth’s $3.5 billion annual transportation funding gap.

The Republican says there are a number of projects that demand immediate attention.

“We have stood still here in the Commonwealth for so long,” Rafferty says. “In the eastern part of the state, it’s nothing but road congestion. In certain parts of western PA, it’s nothing but road congestion. In other areas, they need rail freight lines. The only way we can do that is if we do some kind of intermodal transportation package, which is what we’re working on now.”

Rafferty says he’s working alongside the state Transportation Secretary on the wording of potential legislation.

Some lawmakers have been critical of a lack of action since the Governor’s Transportation Funding Advisory Commission issued its recommendations in August, 2011.