Pat Toomey Co-Sponsors Bill To Unlock Bypass Funding

The Daily Item

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., announced today that he has co-sponsored legislation to help clear the way for federal and state highway funding for the proposed Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, a bypass around the Shamokin Dam and Hummels Wharf business districts.

Toomey’s bill would repeal a ban on states using toll road revenues as matching funds for Appalachian Development Highway System projects.

Congress authorized construction of the Appalachian Development Highway System in 1965, and 2,715.1 miles of the authorized 3,090-mile system were completed or under construction as of September 2010.

Allowing states in the Appalachian corridor to use toll road credits as matching funds for the system will speed up the use of already allocated construction dollars for several Pennsylvania infrastructure projects. The ban does not exist outside the Appalachian corridor.

“Several important highway projects in Pennsylvania, including the U.S. 219 extension and the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, have stalled because Pennsylvania isn’t allowed to use its toll road credits as matching funds,” Toomey said.

“Since states outside the Appalachian corridor can use toll road credits, Pennsylvania should be able to enjoy the same flexibilities. This is a simple solution that will not cost any additional taxpayer dollars and will help create jobs in Pennsylvania.”

U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-9 of Hollidaysburg, has introduced a companion bill in the House, which has 10 co-sponsors.

Read more: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x850290018/Pat-Toomey-co-sponsors-U-S-Senate-bill-to-help-unlock-bypass-funding