Pittsburgh – Endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett today announced his plan to improve Pennsylvania’s transportation system at a Norfolk Southern railyard in downtown Pittsburgh. Transportation is a critical component of the state’s economic foundation and quality of life. Tom Corbett’s vision for Pennsylvania’s transportation system is to foster an infrastructure that facilitates the safe and swift flow of people and ideas among communities and throughout the world.
“Pennsylvania has a history of leadership in transportation. From the creation of the Conestoga wagon to our railroads, to the first superhighway in the nation, The Pennsylvania Turnpike, Pennsylvania’s transportation heritage is strong,” said Corbett. “We need to build upon this foundation to address Pennsylvania’s critical transportation issues and ensure the longevity of our infrastructure.”
Tom Corbett believes that safety, convenience and economic development must guide transportation policy decisions, doing what is in the best interest for all Pennsylvanians. As such, his transportation plan focuses on five core areas:
• Maximizing the available investment in transportation while seeking to develop an infrastructure funding approach to support the transportation needs of future generations of Pennsylvanians
• Managing a maintenance and construction program addressing current challenges while building an infrastructure for the future
• Leveraging all of Pennsylvania’s intermodal assets for convenience and economic development
• Maintaining the viability of Pennsylvania’s transit systems while helping to position them to meet changing commuter dynamics
• Linking Pennsylvania’s public and private transportation providers and infrastructure
Funding is a top priority for Tom Corbett when it comes to transportation. Pennsylvania’s public transportation and highway and bridge systems are in crisis. Funding is inadequate and the infrastructure is decaying. Tom Corbett is ready to take action immediately to bring integrity to the transportation budgeting. “As Governor, I will immediately convene a bipartisan transportation funding workgroup to assess the fairness and efficacy of the current funding mechanisms and pursue aligning revenue sources to desired goods,” said Corbett. “It is time to provide an honest plan based on real numbers and real results and add new tools to the funding tool belt.”
In addition to funding, Tom Corbett is also a strong proponent of Pennsylvania’s unmatched deployment of intermodal assets. Pennsylvania ranks in the top 10 of states for tons of rail freight originated in and terminated in the state, and its three primary ports serve as major distribution centers for import and export. “As Governor, I will expand intermodal linkages, support and grow our railroads, improve air travel and grow Pennsylvania’s ports,” said Corbett.
A large part of intermodal transport is our railroads. With more railroads than any other state, the movement of freight through Pennsylvania is vital to our economy. “I will continue to support freight movement and passenger rail corridor initiatives and will closely monitor rail expansion opportunities,” said Corbett.
Mass transit is another component of our transportation system that is vital to the commonwealth’s economy. Tom Corbett understands it plays a daily part in the lives of many Pennsylvanians by connecting them to jobs, providing mobility to our citizens and reducing overall traffic congestion. “I will work to maintain our mass transit system by improving ridership opportunities, ensuring funding through state, local and private collaboration and coordinating human services transportation needs.”
Tom Corbett’s detailed plan on Building a World Class Transportation Infrastructure is available online. For additional information about Tom Corbett and his vision for Pennsylvania, visit www.tomcorbettforgovernor.com.
