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Officials: Highway Trust Fund Dwindling

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Sep 6, 2008 6:55 pm US/Eastern

Officials: Highway Trust Fund Dwindling

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― There's a growing money crunch in Washington that may hurt you when it comes to hitting the road.

The Federal Department of Transportation says they are going to run out of money fast unless action is taken now. That means some major road projects in our area may be coming to a grinding to a halt.

"If we don't fix this problem, we won't be able to move forward on 100-150 bridges," said Allen Biehler, the State Transportation Secretary.

Officials say the Federal Transportation Highway Trust Fund is dwindling, which means Federal money for PennDOT infrastructure improvements is starting to slow down.

"Over the next year, we expect to be short $500 million," said Biehler. "We're going to have to slow down our paying contractors or curtail our current lending schedule. Neither one of those things are acceptable."

It appears the Federal government is out of money when it comes to fixing our roads because of high gas prices. We pay 18 cents a gallon in Federal fuel taxes and we're driving less due to fuel costs.

Republican Congressman Phil English, of the Western Pa. 3rd District, says the GOP has tried to get the funds freed up to make up the shortfall.

"There is a real danger of a serious disruption in highway funds," said English.

KDKA's Ross Guidotti reports that although reluctant, there is word that the White House may move on the issue by dumping general funds money into the Highway Trust Fund.

"The President will be asking Congress, specifically, the Senate, to correct the problem. We certainly hope that's successful," Biehler said.




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