Central PA News

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are taking steps toward expediting road construction projects in the state. Representative Jim Struzzi, representing Indiana, initiated efforts to reduce project timelines, receiving unanimous backing from the House Transportation Committee. The approval of House Bill 1833 marks a significant moment for his long-standing initiative, which aims to reduce the time it takes to complete infrastructure projects, saving hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

"This legislation becoming law would reduce the time it takes to complete an infrastructure project, and every year which you add or subtract translates into hundreds of millions of dollars," Struzzi remarked.

House Bill 1833 proposes to allow Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Turnpike Commission to use a procurement method known as Design Build Best Value (DBBV). This process suggests an alternative for designing and constructing infrastructure, leveraging Struzzi's background with PennDOT. However, bipartisan support was essential for the proposal's progress.

"It can take 5-10 years to get a road or bridge constructed using current state government practices," explained Representative Ed Neilson, a Democrat from Philadelphia and co-author of the bill. Neilson lauded Struzzi's persistence, highlighting the collaboration between party lines.

DBBV enables project owners to evaluate various factors when procuring materials and services, allowing them to tailor the selection process to their goals and project needs. Importantly, it requires close cooperation between designers and contractors, potentially reducing the completion time of projects.

"It’s about expediting things and still having quality," commented Representative Kerry Benninghoff, Republican chairman of the House Transportation Committee. He noted the emphasis on innovation and quality over merely accepting the lowest bid.

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