RAILWAYS BILL to HELP OFFSET GAS CRISIS
In supporting the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, Congressman Joe Sestak, D-7, of Edgmont, last week voted to increase grants available to rail systems and to provide funds for high-speed rail networks. H.R. 6003 passed the House by a 311-104 margin, authorizing $14.9 billion over the next five years to make train service more efficient. Congressman Sestak applauded the bill, particularly due the effect of soaring gas prices.
“Make a greater investment in railways is especially important during this time,” Sestak said.
“We have seen more than an 11 percent increase in Amtrak ridership in the Northeast Corridor since October when you compare the numbers to the previous year.
“In addition, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recently made clear that we can expect even greater demands to be placed on our mass transit systems if gas prices do not decrease,” Sestak said.
“We must allocate the necessary resources to support more use of railways and public transportation on the whole and to make these systems more efficient.”
In this bill, Congress authorizes $4.2 billion to Amtrak for capital and operating grants to maintain and rehabilitate physical infrastructure and support its employees. The legislation will benefit Amtrak’s organizational efficiency on the whole by offering congestion grants to Amtrak and States to high-priority rail corridors.
The Department of Transportation recently reported that if Amtrak achieved an 85 percent on-time performance outside the Northeast Corridor in fiscal year 2006, it would have saved Amtrak $136.6 million, almost one-third of its operation budget.
States will also receive $2.5 billion in grants to pay for the capital costs of facilities and equipment for new or improved intercity passenger rail. The Federal share of these grants, all of which will be awarded on a competitive basis, is up to 80 percent.
The bill authorizes $1.75 billion for grants to States and/or Amtrak to finance the construction and equipment for 11 high-speed rail corridors. This measure reflects the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission’s recommendation to establish a high-speed rail network across the United States. In addition, the Secretary of Transportation would be required to request proposals to create a high-speed rail system running between Washington, DC and New York City.
This provision is a good first step toward alleviating some airport delays, in addition to decreasing traffic on our roadways, by having a high-speed train from Philadelphia to Baltimore and Washington, he said. “But we cannot change people’s transportation habits unless we invest in the very best technology to make railroad use more attractive.”
SPRINGFIELD ROAD
A PennDOT spokesman said paving of Springfield Road between Bishop Avenue and State Road is expected to begin this week following preparation work for cold patches around manhole covers and storm inlets.
Despite complaints received from Springfield residents about the bumpy conditions caused by the necessary milling of the road prior to repaving, Charles Metzger pointed out that the milling work began the end of May. As of June 11, the contractor had to be pulled off the project to finish up work on Route 1, he said. Thunderstorms the previous night also postponed work at night, he said.
As a veteran driver and proponent of evasive driving, the only complaint I have is that the contractor could use a lot more orange day-glo paint to mark the upraised manhole covers and capped pipes like they did on Baltimore Pike – except the pike had light green paint.
If you drive at or below the speed limit and don’t tailgate the vehicle in front of you, you will give yourself sufficient time to observe the obstacles ahead and avoid them. I guess my reflexes are better than some drivers, thanks to my cycling days.
I always hear a lot of complaints from people who have to use milled roadways, but it’s necessary before repaving can be done.
And milling (roughing up the surface) can’t be done piecemeal, because the heavy duty equipment has to be used in one full sweep at night. FYI—I use that route every day to work and have no problem.
BLOOD FOR GAS
In an effort to boost summer blood donations, the Penn-Jersey Region of the American Red Cross is raffling a $50 Gas Card to one lucky donor every day from May 23rd through September 30th. All presenting blood donors from American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Region mobile blood drives, blood donation centers, and donation buses will be eligible to win.
Summer is a challenging time to collect enough blood to meet local patient needs. While the need for blood remains constant, it can be hard to find willing blood donors.
Blood drives are held seven days a week in communities across the region. To make an immediate appointment for an American Red Cross blood drive this week, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or visit www.pleasegiveblood.org to find a listing of community blood drives.
PATCO RATES
On Monday, June 16, 2008, the cost of a round-trip SEPTA transfer at New Jersey PATCO stations is going up 30 cents to $2.40. The special round-trip PATCO/SEPTA transfer was set to be 50 cents less than two SEPTA tokens and a 2007 SEPTA fare hike increased the price of tokens. The cost of a round-trip SEPTA transfer at New Jersey PATCO stations has been $2.10 since June of 2001.
The transfers may be purchased from vending machines in PATCO New Jersey stations.
SEPTA accepts this transfer from an interchange point with PATCO on:
1. The Market-Frankford Line and Broad-Ridge Subways
2. Subway-Surface Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36.
3. Bus Routes C, 2, 9, 12, 21, 23, 27, 32, 33, 38, 42, 44, 47, 47M, 48, 61 and 121.
The two piece SEPTA transfer must be used within expiration periods noted at the time of purchase.
DRPA & PATCO GET GRANTS
The Delaware River Port Authority/PATCO has been informed that they are receiving over $11-million in federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Transportation. New Jersey U.S. Senator, Robert Menendez, announced the award today.
DRPA CEO and PATCO President, John J. Matheussen, said “$9.7 million is earmarked for the renovation of PATCO train cars while $1.75 million will be used for Ferry Terminal Improvements at Penns Landing in Philadelphia.”
PATCO has budgeted $180 million to rehabilitate its entire fleet of 121 cars. The actual work on the cars is expected to begin in 2009 and take four years to complete. This is part of an Authority-wide $1 billion dollar capital improvement plan slated to take place over the next five-plus years.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
Chester Township – Engle Street, DELCORA utility installation between Tollston Road and 12th Street, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-June 20.
Haverford – College Avenue, PECO utility installation between Cooperstown and Turnbridge roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-June 30.
Aston – Pennell Road (Route 452), trench restoration by Chester Water Authority between Glendale Boulevard and Jessica Way 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 18. Work began June 2.
Haverford – Darby Road, road widening/utility installation by Goldenberg Group, closed/detoured between Route 320 and Marple Road, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays through July 25. Detour posted. Work began May 27.
Springfield – Baltimore Pike, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation between Route 320 (Sproul Road) and Paper Mill Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 30. Work began April 21.
Chester Township – Concord Road, utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 25. Work began Feb. 19.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.