The recent collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park is a wake-up call to correct misguided government spending priorities.
Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 budget is $39.8 billion. Allegheny County approved an operating budget of $942.5 million and $182.5 million in a capital improvement budget. The City of Pittsburgh is spending $613 million in its operating budget and $158.2 million in the capital budget. Included in all these budgets are parts of the $2.6 billion in federal covid relief grants.
You’d think with all this funding at their disposal, our leaders would make road and bridge safety a top priority since a major task of local government is public safety and infrastructure.
A significant portion of the funding from gas taxes originally earmarked for road and bridge maintenance and construction is siphoned to help support mass transit and the general budget.
In addition, state and local governments spend considerably on so-called sustainable projects such as expensive electric vehicles and bicycle lanes that are lightly used.
Unfortunately, many of our progressive elected officials have squandered this government largesse over the years on trendy initiatives that have robbed needed funding from infrastructure. And they have done this mostly against the will of the majority.
It’s time to stop the insanity and get our priorities straight!
Dave Majernik
Plum