RSS FEEDSEd Troxell posted on 6/18/2010 8:07:00 AM
GEOGRAPHY its like real estate - location/location/location. (Hint: weather patterns)
Nathan Benefield posted on 6/17/2010 5:14:00 PM
I find it hard to fathom that Pennsylvania's freeze/thaw cycle is so radically different from Ohio and Indiana that they can spend less than half as much per road mile and have better roads.
Ed Troxell posted on 6/17/2010 8:02:00 AM
Here is another observation: PA's geography and location. We have a freeze/thaw cycle unlike any other state and we are a pass through state for several destinations.
Robert Latham posted on 6/16/2010 5:47:00 PM
NJ's spending level was driven by an annual bond issuance of $1.6 billion per year from 2005-09. The result is a $900 million per year debt service for 30 years because they refused to raise user fees.
PA Act 44 provides a payback mechanism for its bond issuance, toll revenue. The PA bridge bond program has been $200 million per year for 3 years. Hardly comparable to NJ.
Nathan Benefield posted on 6/16/2010 5:30:00 PM
That is exactly what PA is doing now - witness Act 44, and the dramatic increase in borrowing for bridge projects.
Also, capitalized projects is included in the spending data - which is why NJ is 4th in spending per mile (and PA ninth): https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AqduBXrlJrJxdDhzTlhvcVBvNmljb0ZxeVlBZHhQSGc&hl=en&output=html
Doesn't alter the fact that PA is spending a lot on roads and getting few results - largely because those who feed off taxpayers are demanded more money rather than working toward efficiencies.
Robert Latham posted on 6/16/2010 4:01:00 PM
New Jersey's transportation system is hopelessly bankrupt from overborrowing rather than pay as you go funding. Is that the direction you think PA should be going?
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