HARRISBURG, PA-Gov. Edward Rendell has unveiled a 2006-2007 budget proposal that contains an investment of $130 million in infrastructure specifically devoted to the state's transportation system. "Good roads and bridges are critical to the economic success of the commonwealth," he says in a statement.

The largest, $100-million chunk of the proposed funding would be devoted to a "smoother roads" initiative that was created with an initial $50 million in 2003. So far, the program has improved approximately 125 miles of expressways in the state. The additional investment is estimated to pay for about 400 additional miles of improvements.

The proposal would also add $20 million to the existing $28-million bridge preservation fund. Annual spending on bridges has risen from $259 million in 2002 to $427 million in 2005. Another $10 million would join the existing $5-million emergency highway and bridge repair program, which provides funds for such emergency situations as storm repair, slide conditions, sink holes and any emerging bridge conditions that require immediate attention.

While the investment would benefit developers of distribution facilities in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, the spending would cover all areas of the state and include interstates, expressways and two-lane arteries. "Many areas of the state have tough transportation challenges," Rendell says.