Rendell Pleads for Special Session to Address Transportation

In a plea to the Pennsylvania State Legislature to hold a special session on transportation funding, Gov. Edward Rendell (D) recently told members of the Senate Transportation Committee that, collectively in their 13 districts, they have 1,970 structurally deficient bridges.

Because of the advanced age of the state’s bridges, 300 more become structurally deficient each year, a designation that means they need repairs to stem further deterioration, Rendell testified before a July 21 committee hearing.

On the road side of the ledger, Rendell said, the state has so many miles in need of repair that “they would stretch across the entire country three times.”

Legislative leaders have not yet said whether they will agree to a special session.