Port Authority took about 35 state representatives and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee on a tour Monday of its light rail system to show off future projects such as revamping stations at South Hills Junction and Station Square.
The biggest news local officials got, though, is that the state may have a new way to help pay for those projects using bond proceeds. Under Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget, the state would make $450 million available for capital projects needed by transit agencies.
In a news conference at the Steel Plaza Station after the tour, Rep. Mike Carroll, minority chair of the House Transportation Committee, said the governor is earmarking that money for transit projects. The state used to get $400 million a year from the Pennsylvania Turnpike for transit, but that allocation has expired and Mr. Wolf is setting aside money in the state general fund instead.
Mr. Carroll said the hope is that the Legislature adds the appropriation to the state code so it becomes a regular part of the budget.
Authority CEO Katharine Eagan Kelleman said having bonds available would help the agency fund a project quicker and hedge against inflation that occurs while it is waiting for funding.
“Bonding… is the key to making the investments our residents deserve,” she said.
The authority recently started work on a $2.5 million project to upgrade the Negley Station in Shadyside along the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway. It is finalizing plans for a $53 million to $69 million project at South Hills Junction and is designing projects at stations in Dormont and Station Square.
In addition to South Hills Junction and Station Square, the committee viewed emergency repairs at the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge, a light rail bridge closed last month after a worker noticed it had slipped out of place.
The committee will hold a formal hearing Tuesday to discuss Pittsburgh‘s need for bridge funding and tour the site of the Jan. 28 collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge between Squirrel Hill and Point Breeze.
It will discuss redevelopment and cargo operations at Pittsburgh International Airport Wednesday.
Ed Blazina: eblazina@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1470 or in Twitter @EdBlazina.
First Published: March 7, 2022, 10:05 p.m.
Updated: March 8, 2022, 1:26 p.m.
