Costly tuneup, face lift start on Walt Whitman Bridge
www.courierpostonline.com
The biggest chunk -- at least $120 million -- will pay to redeck the bridge. Construction is expected to begin in 2010. Other projects include partial de-leading and repainting ($45 million), dehumidifying the anchorages ($6 million) and decorative lighting ($12 million).
Overall, the bistate authority expects to spend in excess of $1 billion on capital projects within the next five years.
The problem is money. The Delaware River Port Authority spends more than half of the estimated $195 million it will collect in bridge tolls this year paying down $1.2 billion in debt. PATCO's deficit operation is a further drain on the transportation agency.
We shouldn't have expected the politicians to plan ahead should we. Afterall spending toll money on maintenance doesn't buy votes or fund your friends corporations. Looks like the philamprothists will need another toll increase.
Posted by: | April 28, 2008 at 11:37 AM