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FAECO passes Resolution in Support of Plan H

    Whereas, the Mon Valley/Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway are cornerstone projects for the economic revitalization of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Mon-Valley; and

    Whereas, it is recognized that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is the lead agency for the development of these crucial projects and has proposed a schedule for their completion; and

    Whereas, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission has included the Mon Valley/Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway in their regional transportation plan; and

    Whereas, over 35 miles of the Mon Valley/Fayette Expressway will be completed by the Fall of the year 2001; and

    Whereas, while there is sufficient funding to support ongoing planning for the Expressway and Beltway projects, including final engineering and land acquisition for the Brownsville to Uniontown and PA Route 51 to Pittsburgh sections and final engineering for the Findlay Connector of the Southern Beltway, financing for construction of these projects is not in place; and

    Whereas, it is understood that completion of the Mon Valley/Fayette Expressway and Findlay Connector of the Southern Beltway will, in addition to tolls, require additional funding to support the const of construction; and

    Whereas, these three projects (1. Brownsville to Uniontown, 2. PA Route 51 to Pittsburgh, 3. Findlay Connector) were identified by Governor Ridge as equal key priority Expressway and Southern Beltway projects; and

    Whereas, the Mon Valley/Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway Alliance has developed a financing plan called Plan H that calls for the set aside of 8% of the current Federal highway funding to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to support bonds for construction and is detailed in the attached document, and

    Whereas, based on current cost estimates, Plan H bond financing would be sufficient to support completion of the Mon Valley/Fayette Expressway, including the Brownsville to Uniontown and PA Route 51 to Pittsburgh sections, in addition to construction of the Findlay Connector of the Southern Beltway, and

    Whereas, at this point, Plan H offers the most viable plan for the timely completion of the Mon Valley/Fayette Expressway and the Findlay Connector of the Southern Beltway