Senate Bill 799 allowing county bridge funding to supplement municipal bridge maintenance passes the state Senate.

This bill would amend Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance. 

SB 799 was sponsored by Senator Greg Rothman (R-34) to ensure funding flexibility for county and municipal bridges.

The goal of this legislation is to expand how counties can use transportation funds for the benefit of their residents.
 
Act 89 of 2013 amended Act 44 of 2007 by appropriating $5 million annually out of the Motor License Fund for county bridges. Current guidance for how this money is spent specifically references “public bridges for which the county is legally responsible.” While the funds are being used to repair county-owned bridges, current spending guidance fails to note how the funds could be used for bridges owned by the municipalities within said counties. As a result, municipal bridges suffer and go without repair.
 
SB 799 would amend the current law to explicitly allow the Act 44/89 funds to be used for both county and municipal bridges to better increase driver safety and roadway quality.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously and now moves to  the House Transportation Committee.