Approved Update To PA 12-Year Plan By State Transportation Commission Reflects Increase In Funding

By Tony Romeo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The State Transportation Commission has approved an update to Pennsylvania's 12-year plan for projects that reflects a major increase in funding approved by state lawmakers last year.

PennDOT spokesman Rich Kirkpatrick says in southeastern Pennsylvania, there are two big projects included in the updated plan. One is the long-awaited I-95 – turnpike connection in Bucks County. Construction on that is to begin in the fall. Another project involves widening an 8-mile stretch of Route 322 from two to four lanes between Route 1 and I-95.

"A contract will be let later this year to do what's known as 'wetlands mitigation.' We have to do some environmental work as part of the project. And the first of two construction phases will start in 2017."

The 12 year plan now goes to federal transportation authorities for review. Kirkpatrick says state authorities work in concert with the feds and no problems are expected.

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