PennDOT Looks To Speed Up Some Projects Ahead Of Papal Visit
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) --- The new PennDOT secretary is assuring lawmakers that the state transportation agency is actively involved in planning for the pope's visit later this year and next year's Democratic Convention in Philadelphia.
PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards says it's already been decided that construction work on the bridges over I-676 in Center City will stop during the pope's visit - but during House budget hearings, she told members other construction projects in the region could be affected in a similar way.
She says some projects will likely be speeded up to put the region's best foot forward.
"A lot of the improvements, of course, around Dilworth Plaza, the SEPTA work around city hall… we're going to see what projects are important particularly to everybody visiting Philadelphia for the first time," she says. "I mean, this is a huge opportunity with really an international presence."
Richards says projects related to the pope's visit will be speeded up if they are already in the construction phase and if it makes sense.