Chamber History

I-79 Missing Ramps Project
This project involves the construction of two new ramps connecting I-79 and the Parkway West. One ramp will connect I-79 Southbound with Route 22/30 toward the Pittsburgh International Airport, and the other ramp will connect Route 22/30 Eastbound toward Pittsburgh to I-79 Northbound.

With the successful development of the airport corridor, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration believe it is now necessary to provide a safe and efficient connection between the I-79 and Parkway West corridors by constructing the "missing ramps."

All alternatives are based on widening the Parkway (SR 22/30) to 6 lanes, three in each direction. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2006. For more details about the project, contact Robert Collins, P.E. PENNDOT Project Manager at 412/429-4928.

Mon Valley/Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway/Findlay Connector
The Chamber teamed up with a group of supporters for the Mon/Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway to visit with legislators in Harrisburg to urge them to support funding for this initiative (known as Plan H for highways). A reception was conducted with legislative representatives, detailing the progress on the project, as well as outlining remaining needs. Joining us for this special presentation was Governor-elect Ed Rendell, who indicated that it was important to invest in Pennsylvania by investing in transportation projects such as this.

Legislators from our area who attended and showed their support included State Representative John Pippy, Senator Jack Wagner, and PA State Senator Tim Murphy. We thank them as well as all of the legislators showing continued support for this important project, which is essential for the future of our region. These projects will create new jobs through new industrial locations and promote the growth of existing firms.

On April 12 a total of 35 miles or approximately one-half of the 65-mile expressway project will be completed. While planning and engineering to advance the PA 51 to Pittsburgh and Brownsville to Uniontown Expressway projects and the Findlay Connector of the Southern Beltway will continue, funding is not in place at this time for construction of these projects. It should be noted that funding in place will also support acquisition of land for the PA Route 51 to Pittsburgh and the Brownsville to Union sections.

Federal transportation law provides a major opportunity to secure additional funding for these projects. TEA 21 authorizes $1.3 billion in highway funding on an annual basis to Pennsylvania, which is $00 million per year over prior funding levels. This additional funding creates a unique window of opportunity to complete this crucial highway network.

Cost Estimates
Provided below are unofficial estimates for the three Expressway and Beltway sections targeted by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the Governor as priority projects of the Expressway/Beltway projects:

Section

Estimate Construction Costs

Federal ROD

M/FE Expressway

PA 51 to Pittsburgh
Uniontown to Brownsville

$1.6 billion
$ 350 million

2003
approved

Southern Beltway

Findlay Connector

$ 150 million

approved

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST

$2.10 billion

Less PA 51 to Pgh toll rev.

$ 400 million*

Plan H supported costs

$1.70

*Up to $400 million of the total estimated cost could be defrayed through bonds supported by toll revenues from the Pa Route 51 to Pittsburgh section.

For more information about the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway Alliance, contact Joe Kirk at 724-684-3381.

SB 1600, legislation providing Water Resources Planning

          On November 19, 2002, a bipartisan Water Resources Planning Act was announced by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) and Rep. Art Hershey (R-Chester) reflecting more than 19 months of work by local governments, conservation districts, farmers, environmentalists, water suppliers, business groups and the Schweiker Administration.
          Joining in the announcement were Sen. Roger Madigan (R-Bradford), Sen. Allen Kukovich (D-Westmoreland) and Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery). Former Senators Jeanette Reibman (D-Northampton), William Lincoln (D-Somerset) and Roy Afflerbach (D-Lehigh), who sponsored water resources legislation in the General Assembly over the last 20 years, also attended to lend their support for the proposal.
          The bipartisan initiative sets up a water planning process that will answer three basic water questions:
                    1. How much water do we have?
                    2. How is our water being used?
                    3. Where is the demand for water outstripping supply?

          The centerpiece of the proposal is a collaborative process involving local, regional and statewide interests- economic and environmental -- in the water resources inventory, with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) given the responsibility to put the inventory together over the next five years.
          The legislation requires DEP to inventory all uses of water-- for economic purposes and for the protection of aquatic resources and habitat. All users of more than 10,000 gallons per day are included in the inventory and critical water resource areas will be identified.
          The bipartisan bills - Senate Bill 10 and House Bill 2989 - are designed to lay a foundation for future decision making about Pennsylvania's water resources. They do not set up a new regulatory program, but the existing authority DEP and local governments have to regulate water withdrawals is preserved. The bills do not regulate homeowner water wells.
          This legislation puts in place a water resources planning process the public told us was needed during statewide Water Forums last year and the Governor's 21st Century Environment Commission recommended in 1998.
          To find out more about the bipartisan Water Resources Planning Act, go to the Water Resources page of DEP's website www.dep.state.pa.us (directLINK "water resources").
          The General Assembly is set to adjourn for the year next week before Thanksgiving. The opportunity we have to pass this legislation will be missed if we don't act now.
          E-mail or call your state Senator and House member and tell them you don't want to lose the best chance we've had in 20 years to pass comprehensive water resources planning legislation.