Some cheery news from Berks County this morning involving the economy. Berks County does not have the financial resources to make the necessary repairs on roads and bridges etc… due to a lack of funds. They need money from the state but we all know that Pennsylvania has a $1 billion dollar shortfall of revenue, year to date. The recent defeat to make Interstate 80 a toll road has dashed hopes for funding.
I think we are taxed enough. The part of Pennsylvania Interstate 80 runs through is already economically depressed so adding a further burden on those folks to pay for Berks County highways is not the answer.
Berks County has 107 structurally deficient bridges and 402 miles of roadway that need repaired. At current funding levels these projects will take 10 years to complete.
Suggestions range from fees for video lottery to public-private partnerships to raise the needed money.
