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Infrastructure Summit Focuses on Investment and Jobs

Ideas will help to usher in Pennsylvania’s economic recovery

On November 4, I convened an Infrastructure Summit at Temple University. Increased investment in the various components of our infrastructure is key to maintaining and improving our safety, especially in our roads, and bridges. Fortunately, improvements in those areas mean major economic boosts, as well as job creation for the overall economy. With job creation being the number one priority, we must look for every reasonable way to put people back to work. Investing in our infrastructure does just that.

The Infrastructure Summit was a crucial first step in having a clear picture of what our infrastructure problems are, and what solutions may be available to us. The information gathered will serve as a foundation in our attempts to formulate a thoughtful plan to advance the Commonwealth in these very important areas.

The Summit covered the following areas:

• Transportation
• Public Utilities and Public Works
• Public Buildings and Educational Institutions
• Housing, Economic Development, and Information Technology

Here are some of the major issues affecting Pennsylvania’s Infrastructure:

Transportation Outlook:

• International Roughness Index statistics show that 38 percent of Pennsylvania’s roads are rated fair or poor.
• 27% of Pennsylvania bridges (approximately 5,205) are considered structurally deficient and 17% are deemed functionally obsolete.
• Pennsylvania’s ports do not have a direct funding stream which has lead to the deterioration of the port’s infrastructure.

Public Utilities/Public Works Outlook:

• There is currently no dedicated funding source for the operation and maintenance of existing storm water management systems, which will require $43.5 billion over the next 20 years.
• About 39 percent (302) of the state’s “high hazard” dams are considered deficient.
• The cost of replacing the aging natural gas pipeline system in Pennsylvania on an accelerated basis would be around $12.5 to $15 billion.

Public Buildings / Educational Institutions Outlook:

• A 2008 state-by-state assessment on school infrastructure funding showed Pennsylvania ranked 7th among the 50 states in terms of identified need.
• $9.26 billion is needed to improve our school infrastructure.
• The average age of Philadelphia school buildings is 61.26 years and the median is 59.50 years. The School District of Philadelphia will be looking to sell some of its buildings, however the remaining buildings will have infrastructure needs, estimated at $1.57 billion.
   

Housing, Economic Development, and Information Technology Outlook:

• Pennsylvania currently ranks 14th in the country in foreclosures, with one in every 1,869 housing units receiving a foreclosure notice in September 2011 (2,953 total foreclosure notices).
• Within the state, the southeast region has seen the highest foreclosure rate. Philadelphia County ranks the highest in foreclosures with 597 notices; Delaware County ranks second with 350; and Montgomery County ranks third with 217. The City of Pittsburgh had 99 foreclosed properties and the City of Harrisburg had 124 foreclosed properties.

At the Summit, We were also pleased to have as presenters numerous regional and statewide leaders, and we were joined by U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor William Spriggs, and U.S. Under Secretary of Transportation Roy Kienitz, who provided us perspectives on President Obama's American Jobs Act which contains significant infrastructure components.

• Watch Part 1 of Summit
• Watch Part 2 of Summit
• Download PDF of Infrastructure Summit

For Pennsylvania to revitalize its economy and secure its place in the national and international economic conversation a collaborative effort among local, state, federal and the private sector is needed. I look forward to engaging these different groups in this very important discussion.

We only have a handful of legislative days scheduled between now and January 1, so it is imperative that lawmakers and the governor ramp up efforts to address the needs of Pennsylvania’s people and its economy. Trying to jump start this debate in 2012 will be too late.

We must all work together to bring real action on infrastructure, economic development, and job creation activities throughout PA. If you have any suggestions on how we should proceed, please let us know what they are. It's only through working together, and using the best ideas, that we will get PA back to work.

You can find out more specifics about the Infrastructure Summit and provide your feedback on my website at senatorhughes.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter (@SenatorHughes).

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