April 02, 2015
In an effort to raise awareness on issues concerning local and national infrastructure, specifically public transportation, several local organizations are teaming up for a rally to "Stand Up for Transportation."
The event, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, at Dilworth Park, will feature several prominent political figures, including former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Bill Shuster, who chairs the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Shuster represents Pennsylvania's 9th U.S. Congressional District in the southwest corner of the state.
Supporters of the rally, which is being sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, include SEPTA, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and the Delaware River Port Authority. The organizers, according to the event's website, are calling for proper federal involvement to support transportation:
Our highways and transit systems have tremendous economic impact and it's time for urgent federal action and investment in our nation's infrastructure.
One of the issues highlighted on the event's page is the state of Pennsylvania's bridges. The state, as a recent report indicates, contains the highest number of structurally deficient bridges in the country for the second year in a row.
Organizers are encouraging supporters to use the hashtag #StandUp4Transportation to show their support.
Rendell was a vocal supporter of boosting the nation's infrastructure during his time as Pennsylvania governor and has continued that support since leaving office. Rendell's thoughts on the issue can be seen in this 2014 interview with PBS:
Shuster, a Republican, has also been an adamant supporter of adequately funding transportation infrastructure:
The latest extension of federal highway and transit funding through the federal Highway Trust Fund, the source of more than half of highway and bridge capital investments made annually by state governments, is set to expire May 31 without renewal by Congress. The fund has suffered revenue shortfalls in five of the last six years and required $65 billion in bailout money.
Shuster, while hopeful of a long-term funding plan, says that a short-term fix is likely if consensus is not reached in Congress.
