On the recordJanuary 18, 2022
Last Friday was a big day for infrastructure in the Philadelphia region. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in Philly to announce the first tranche of funding for bridges under the new law, including $1.6 billion for Pennsylvania bridges. That afternoon, I got to highlight how funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will improve our regional public transit system, known as SEPTA. Over the next 5 years, SEPTA will receive more than $500 million more than expected. That money will help SEPTA accelerate repair efforts, including rehabilitation projects, vehicle replacement, and improving accessibility of rail and trolley stations. While all of these upgrades are needed, the forthcoming work on accessibility is especially important. In fact, it is essential. People across our region rely on SEPTA every day to get to work, take their kids to school, buy groceries, go to the doctor, and more. Our neighbors should be able to complete these daily tasks without having to plan around which station has an elevator to accommodate a wheelchair or which stop is easier to get a baby stroller in and out of. I am glad the infrastructure funding that Congress and President Biden delivered will help get this much-needed work done more quickly. Our Delaware Valley residents deserve it. {time} 1215 Election Workers are Essential
