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Critical Week For PA Transportation Money

By Tony Romeo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Once again, transportation funding is teed up for a vote in what's billed as a make-or-break week in the Pennsylvania House.

On Friday, PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch was on the interview circuit, making a final push for legislation to raise funds for roads, bridges and mass transit -- warning of the consequences of not taking action:

"We had to weight-restrict a thousand bridges this year," he said, "to slow down the rate of deterioration on those bridges. If we don't see funding, you're probably looking at another 250 bridges being weight restricted next year."

Schoch also warns of mass transit cuts in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

We've been at this point before this fall, with pronouncements that transportation will either be dealt with now or sent into oblivion.

Steve Miskin, spokesman for the House majority leader, claims this time it's real:

"Frankly, if it's not taken up this week, it will be taken up in the next session," he said.

The new, two-year session of the legislature will begin in 2015.

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