Staff writer
Some of the state's pressing bridge maintenance problems will be addressed in an update to the 12-year transportation plan approved Wednesday by the State Transportation Commission.
The plan calls for $68 billion to be spent on improvements to bridges, highways, public transportation, aviation and railroads, with some $20 billion coming in the first four years. Of the total spending, almost $40 billion will be spent on bridges and highways, and another $25.6 billion to public transit.
The plan calls for 30 bridges in Washington County and 18 in Greene County to be improved or replaced. Among the Washington County projects are rehabilitation of the Donora-Monessen bridge, the $4.5 million rehabilitation of the Canon-McMillan Alumni Bridge and replacement of the bridge that spans Interstate 70 over Route 519 in Somerset Township.
Greene County projects include engineering for the widening of the railroad underpass and Freedom Bridge in Morrisville, Franklin Township, and construction of the Route 218 overpass over Ten Mile Creek and the railroad in Waynesburg.
The replacement of the Masontown Bridge is included in the Fayette County portion of the plan but also has been cited by county officials as a priority for Greene County.
Yet state Sen. J. Barry Stout, D-Bentleyville, said more money is needed.
"There's an unmet need," said Stout, a member of the commission and chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. "District 12 has one of highest number of deficient bridges of the (state Department of Transportation) districts. We have a lot of older bridges. Some are over 75 years of age and are just worn out."
Of the region's 2,360 bridges, 680 are deficient and more are on the verge of being declared deficient, despite the fact that the state has tripled its investment in bridge repair in the past five years.
Other projects included in the first four years of the plan are the reconstruction of the intersection of Route 19 and Valley Brook Road in Peters Township, construction of a diamond interchange at the Meadow Lands exit of Interstate 79 and realignment of the intersection at Center Church and East McMurray roads in Peters. In Greene County, road improvements on Route 21 at the Masontown Bridge are included.
Additional Greene County projects include replacement of the Eastview Bridge on Route 18 in Franklin Township, the bridge over Ten Mile Creek on Route 188 behind the Greene County Fairgrounds; and the Children's Home Bridge on Route 188 over Ruff Creek in Morgan Township.
Highway funds are distributed across the state according to a formula that includes population, lane miles and vehicle miles traveled. Bridge funds are based on condition.
Stout, who was ill and sent a staff member to attend the commission meeting, said that formula benefits Washington County.
"Washington County has the third-largest miles of interstate roads of the 67 counties," with interstates 70 and 79, he said.
Stout said he was successful during budget negotiations in getting approval for a $350 million bond issue for bridge rehabilitation.
Staff writer Bob Niedbala contributed to this report.