Sen. White Supports More Aid for Highway Maintenance

HB 248 would provide an additional $561,700 to local governments

Legislation to increase funding to local governments for highway maintenance would provide an extra $561,700 for the 41st Senatorial District, according to State Senator Don White, a strong advocate of the proposal.

The measure, House Bill 248, would increase the Annual Maintenance Payment (AMP) from $2,500 per mile to $4,000 per mile, under a version approved by the Senate Transportation Committee today (June 7), according to Senator White, a member of the committee.

"This increase is essential and long overdue," said Senator White. "The overall cost to local governments to maintain these highways is increasing exponentially, driven by higher fuel, equipment and personnel costs."

House Bill 248 would provide additional funds to the Highway Transfer Program, or Turnback Program, as it is commonly known. Under the program, established by Act 32 of 1983, maintenance of state roadways that are functionally local in nature would be turned over to local government control. In return, the local jurisdiction receives the AMP.

Currently, there are 374.5 miles of Turnback roadways in the 41st Senatorial District.

"In fact, my Senate District has the second highest total of Turnback miles in the Commonwealth," Senator White said. "Currently, Pennsylvania provides AMPs totaling $936,167. That total would increase to almost $1.5 million under this legislation and I know my local municipalities could certainly use that additional assistance."

HB 248 is now headed to the full Senate for consideration.