Smart Talk: Paying to cross bridges to pay for repairs

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There are more than 25 thousand state-owned bridges in Pennsylvania; the third-largest number of bridges in the country. With the average bridge more than 50 years old, planners are challenged to develop plans to upgrade and fund the work.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation made headlines last month after announcing plans to toll nine bridges to help fund future repairs.

The tolling concept was approved in November by the Public Private Transportation Partnership board, which does not require legislative approval to move forward. There is opposition to the plan, though, and the potential for legislation to limit PennDOT’s authority to approve tolling.

Appearing on Smart Talk Thursday to address the bridge plan is Ken McClain, Alternative Funding Program Director with PennDOT.

For more information about PennDOT funding, visit here. To contact PennDOT visit here.