PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: The Liberty Bridge in Downtown Pittsburgh is among nearly 1,400 state-owned bridges that could be posted with weight restrictions in the next few years if the Legislature fails to enact a transportation funding bill, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Gov. Tom Corbett is scheduled to be in Pittsburgh today to press his case for funding, and he will hold a news conference under the 2,700-foot-long Liberty Bridge crossing the Monongahela River. The bridge is in need of rehabilitation estimated to cost $40 million to $60 million, but PennDOT doesn’t have the money.
The department has identified 1,364 bridges statewide that could have weight restrictions soon if they aren’t repaired, rehabilitated or replaced. The list, obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, contains about 400 bridges already posted with weight limits, but also includes several that are under construction now or will be soon, removing them from being at risk… (more)
The tax increases can be mitigated by stopping the siphoning of bridge and highway money to non highway and bridge projects like SEPTA and the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
Putting tolls on bridges would be an immense help while having those who use the bridge pay their fair share for using them. The Liberty Bridge could be easily repaired with a small $2.00 toll to repay a bond issue.