Lahood, Specter Talk Transportation In Allentown
Next week, PennDOT officials plan to reveal their plans for Route 22 improvements. You may remember some improvements in the original plans are now in jeopardy over a lack of funding. Here in the Lehigh Valley, we're dealing with tie-ups on "Section 400" the stretch of 22 between 15th Street and Airport Road. Local and PennDOT officials say federal dollars could be the missing link to getting the job done. Jackie Shutack has the story. >> REPORTER: On a good day, many of us feel we crawl along at a snail's pace on Route 22.
>> MICHAEL KAISER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEHIGH VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION: "The MacArthur Road interchange and the Fullerton Avenue interchanges are underdesigned. The bridge needs to be replaced, and the road ought to be widened."
>> REPORTER: That's one of the reasons that local transportation officials met this afternoon to ask Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood for one thing.
>> MICHAEL KAISER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEHIGH VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION: "In one word? Money!" >> REPORTER: Roughly 200 or 220 million, according to Michael kaiser, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.
>> REPORTER: To fix Route 22's Section 400, which runs between 15th Street and Airport Road, PennDOT engineer Michael Rebert says a combination of state and federal dollars is crucial.
>> MICHAEL REBERT/PENNDOT ENGINEER: "The region receives going into next year we will receive $65 million a year. The numbers don't add up."
>> REPORTER: Secretary LaHood listened intently to various requests for federal funding to fix the region's infrastructure. Many of the people attending the meeting know they won't get everything they want.
>> MICHAEL REBERT/PENNDOT ENGINEER: "I'm not looking for $300 million today. But something to help us bridge that gap to maintain the infrastructure that we have."
>> REPORTER: The money could arrive thanks to a pending transportation bill. Lehigh Valley officials are eagerly waiting for word from Washington.
( Video won't play? CLICK HERE for some helpful suggestions )
Share on Facebooke-mail story | print view | rss feeds | wireless | google desktop | podcast
Due to the fact that some scripts seen here are finished shortly before airtime, there may be misspellings and grammatical errors. They may also contain phonetic spellings of names and places. Some of the interviews and live segments may not be scripted. COPYRIGHT NOTICE This information is for personal viewing only and may not be retransmitted or used for any other purpose. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion therof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.
|
|
|
HOME
NEWS
WEATHER
TRAFFIC
SPORTS
DATABANK
SKYCAMS
EMAIL
MAP
|
Hundreds Wait In Line For Free Swine Flu Vaccination