Bill would make closed bridges PennDOT’s top priority
(Harrisburg) — A midstate lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would automatically put closed and weight restricted bridges at the top of PennDOT’s repair list.
State Representative Stephen Bloom has dubbed his proposal the Bridge Safety First Emergency Initiative.
“If we’ve gotten to the point where we actually have to close these bridges because they’re failing structurally, which means that fire apparatus and other emergency responders can’t reach people who may be in need,” Bloom says, “then something is amiss and we need to reprioritize the way we’re spending the dollars.”
Eighteen percent of state-owned bridges are listed as structurally deficient.
Bloom says the state should prioritize transportation projects that impact public safety. The Cumberland County Republican says he opposes any transportation funding effort that would result in higher state gas taxes.
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