PRINTER'S NO. 1235
No. 94 Session of 1977
INTRODUCED BY FISHER, GAMBLE, GOEBEL, POTT, ZORD, PARKER,
KNEPPER, TADDONIO, CESSAR, FISCHER, SCHMITT AND VALICENTI,
APRIL 26, 1977
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, APRIL 27, 1977
In the House of Representatives, April 26, 1977
1 WHEREAS, One of the most serious problems facing Allegheny
2 County and other western Pennsylvania counties is highway
3 maintenance and the existence of potholes to the extent that
4 some have called this section of the Commonwealth the "Pothole
5 Capital of the World"; and
6 WHEREAS, Potholes and extensive deterioration not only have
7 developed on State roads after normal wear and tear, but also
8 shortly after completion of major resurfacing projects on such
9 roads as Banksville Road, Route 51, McKnight Road and many
10 others; and
11 WHEREAS, This extensive deterioration has not been restricted
12 to State highways but has also occurred on local roads after
13 resurfacing, particularly within the last three years; and
14 WHEREAS, Terrain, drainage and weather conditions have
15 created unusual problems on western Pennsylvania and Allegheny
16 County roads, thereby creating problems different and far
17 greater than those experienced in the rest of the State; and
1 WHEREAS, Serious questions have been raised concerning the
2 propriety of the Department of Transportation specifications for
3 asphalt mix particularly the percent by weight of liquid asphalt
4 used and the thickness required; and
5 WHEREAS, Local governments are required to follow the
6 Department of Transportation specifications to be eligible for
7 reimbursements from liquid fuel tax moneys; and
8 WHEREAS, Department of Transportation officials have been
9 aware of the allegations concerning specifications for asphalt
10 mix and its liquid bituminous content for more than a year but
11 no changes in the specifications have been made; and
12 WHEREAS, Approximately $440,000,000 will be spent during the
13 next fiscal year from the Motor License Fund for highway
14 maintenance on State and local highways, plus additional local
15 tax dollars on local roads; and
16 WHEREAS, Said resurfacing pursuant to existing Department of
17 Transportation specifications may result in substandard
18 resurfacing and the future development of more potholes, all of
19 which will be a waste of tax moneys; therefore be it
20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives directs the
21 Subcommittee on Highways of the House Transportation Committee
22 to investigate the current Department of Transportation
23 specifications for road resurfacing with particular attention to
24 be given to the use of the existing asphalt mix and thickness in
25 western Pennsylvania; and be it further
26 RESOLVED, That the Speaker appoint five additional members,
27 three of whom shall be from Allegheny County, which at the
28 present has no members on the Transportation Committee with at
29 least two of the five additional members from the minority
30 party, to the Subcommittee on Highways to assist in the
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1 investigation required by this resolution; and be it further
2 RESOLVED, That the subcommittee shall hold hearings, take
3 testimony, and make its investigations at such places as it
4 deems necessary. It may issue subpoenas with the approval of the
5 House under the hand and seal of its chairman commanding any
6 person to appear before it and to answer questions touching
7 matters properly being inquired into by the subcommittee and to
8 produce such books, papers, records and documents as the
9 subcommittee deems necessary. Such subpoenas may be served upon
10 any person and shall have the force and effect of subpoenas
11 issued out of the courts of this Commonwealth. Any person who
12 willfully neglects or refuses to testify before the subcommittee
13 or to produce any books, papers, records or documents, shall be
14 subject to the penalties provided by the laws of the
15 Commonwealth in such case. Each member of the subcommittee shall
16 have power to administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses
17 appearing before the subcommittee; and be it further
18 RESOLVED, That within 30 calendar days after the subcommittee
19 has made its report, the chairman of the subcommittee shall
20 cause a record of all expenses incurred by the subcommittee, or
21 the members thereof, which are payable at Commonwealth expense,
22 to be filed with the Speaker of the House and the Speaker shall
23 cause the same to be entered in the journal thereof. No expenses
24 incurred by the subcommittee or any member thereof shall be
25 reimbursable by the Chief Clerk unless such expense shall first
26 have been included as an expense item in the record heretofore
27 required; and be it further
28 RESOLVED, That the subcommittee report its findings to the
29 House of Representatives as soon as possible.
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