Local Bridge Funding Bills Championed by Rothman Set to Become Law

HARRISBURG - Two bills sponsored by Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34) to make state funding available for local bridge projects were approved this week.

Dollars allocated to counties through the Motor Licensing Fund for bridge repair have come with spending guidance that in some instances is unclear, and in others needlessly inflexible or incomplete, ultimately failing to meet local needs and forcing municipal bridges to go without repair.

Senate Bill 205 removes ambiguity around Act 44/89 Motor Licensing Funds, explicitly allowing them to be used for both county and municipal-owned bridges to better increase driver safety and roadway quality.

First introduced by Rothman as Senate Bill 1070, House Bill 2437, sponsored by Rep. Nathan Davidson (D-103) also received final legislative approval today. The measure allows counties to utilize Motor License Funds typically restricted to at-risk bridge repair proactively to prevent bridges from ever becoming at-risk. Funds may only be utilized if left over after at-risk bridges are repaired.

"I was glad to work with Rep. Davidson to advance this important legislation and am thankful for the bipartisan support both measures received," Rothman said. "Maintaining safe roads and bridges is a core function of government. These bills remove barriers and give counties the flexibility they need to make necessary repairs to both county-owned and municipal-owned bridges before they become at-risk."

Both bills have been sent to the governor for his signature.

CONTACT: Morgan Wagner