Sunday, February 23, 2025, 8:59AM |  28°
MENU
Advertisement
Cars on the Parkway West during the morning rush on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Banksville. Because of the cost, incoming infrastructure money won’t be used for projects such as light rail service to bypass the Squirrel Hill Tunnel or to carry passengers to Pittsburgh International Airport, say Vincent Valdes, president and CEO of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, the commission chairman.
1
MORE

Federal infrastructure cash welcome but won't cover all needs, Western Pa. officials say

Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette

Federal infrastructure cash welcome but won't cover all needs, Western Pa. officials say

Southwestern Pennsylvania will be ready when federal infrastructure money becomes available next year, but residents should temper their expectations of how far the money can go.

That’s the message that Vincent Valdes, president and CEO of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, the commission chairman, delivered during a luncheon Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Technology Council. The commission sets transportation priorities for the 10-county region.

Mr. Valdes and Mr. Fitzgerald said the projected $500 million that will be available over the next five years for transportation projects will be extremely helpful. They expect it to be dispersed over the 10-county area in an equitable manner to benefit the people that need help the most.

Advertisement

But because of the cost, the money won’t be used for projects such as light rail service to bypass the Squirrel Hill Tunnel or carry passengers to Pittsburgh International Airport, they said. Instead, residents should expect extensions of the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway from Rankin to East Pittsburgh and Monroeville and the West Busway to the airport area.

Passengers make their way through a security line at Pittsburgh International Airport on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021.
Ashley Murray
Airports, including those in Western Pennsylvania, first among transit hubs to get funds under bipartisan infrastructure law

“(The money) is welcome. It is important,” Mr. Valdes said in an interview after the luncheon. “It is not a lottery win.”

Federal officials are in the process of writing regulations for the new spending programs. Money could become available in yet first quarter next year.

Mr. Valdes said the region already has mechanisms in place to evaluate and recommend which projects should move forward. The key will be deciding which projects will benefit people who need the most help.

Advertisement

“We have to be really agile about allocating the money,” Mr. Valdes said. “Obviously, there are pent-up needs here. It’s not like we will have trouble finding projects.”

Mr. Fitzgerald stressed that officials have to take a wide view of needs. Improving connections to the Hazelwood Green site is important, he said, but so is allowing residents in places like Donora and Monessen to benefit from that development through better transportation.

Mr. Valdes pointed out that in addition to the $500 million, there will be competitive funds available for additional projects. Those funds will be awarded largely based on equity and how they address community problems.

“We have to determine what is going to address the most problems the best way,” Mr. Valdes said. “That is the winning gambit.”

Ed Blazina: eblazina@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1470 or on Twitter @EdBlazina.

First Published: December 15, 2021, 7:35 p.m.
Updated: December 16, 2021, 12:04 p.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (20)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
1
business
Amid funding uncertainty, Pitt pauses doctoral admissions
Pirates outfielder DJ Stewart gets congratulations from teammates after his home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of the Grapefruit League season at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
2
sports
5 takeaways from Pirates' spring training victory over Orioles
A new report advises retirees in 2025 to aim for just 3.7% when withdrawing from savings -- down from 4%. Over a 30-year retirement, that could mean the difference between financial security or outliving your cash in your 80s or 90s, financial experts say.
3
business
How much can retirees safely withdraw from their nest eggs? Financial experts weigh in.
Preston Coleman, 52, was beaten and strangled inside an Aliquippa VFW on Jan. 5, 2025, in what police described as a vicious, unprovoked attack.
4
news
Bartender working at Aliquippa VFW during beating that left man unconscious facing charges
York County District Attorney Timothy J. Barker reacts during a news conference regarding the shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
5
news
Police officer killed, gunman dead in shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York
Cars on the Parkway West during the morning rush on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Banksville. Because of the cost, incoming infrastructure money won’t be used for projects such as light rail service to bypass the Squirrel Hill Tunnel or to carry passengers to Pittsburgh International Airport, say Vincent Valdes, president and CEO of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, the commission chairman.  (Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette)
Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST news
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story