Casey ‘100 percent committed’ to Mon-Fayette Expressway
When Tom Ridge first met with the Herald-Standard Editorial Board prior to his election as governor, concerns were raised by some board members then that the status of Fayette County area projects would drop if Ridge were elected. Ridge was elected governor. And less than three months later his new transportation secretary ordered a freeze on all turnpike highway projects under construction, including the Mon/Fayette Expressway. That decision was quickly reversed when the local population, including a gathering of area legislative leaders, threatened a political revolution.
The incident illustrates what may be one of the biggest differences between the current Democratic gubernatorial candidates. Bob Casey Jr. has pledged to finish the job his father started on the huge expressway project, vowing a “100 percent commitment.” Ed Rendell has little which links him in any significant way to this area and cannot completely understand why this expressway must be built.
The overall impact of the Ridge administration on the expressway project is unknown. Ridge, as governor, at least supported others in their efforts to find financing for the project. He didn’t openly block or actively work against the highway. Nor did he champion the highway.
Could a lukewarm response from Rendell as governor further delay the expressway construction timetable? After all, Rendell’s base of support is Philadelphia. His background is that of a big city mayor. How much importance would he really attach to another highway?
Casey understands the urgent need for economic development in our area. He has firsthand knowledge of how essential and important completion of the expressway is to the people of this area. He doesn’t need a briefing report from some state official to convince him.
If Casey is successful in his campaign for the governor, you can be sure he will bring all of the power and influence of the commonwealth’s top elected office directly on getting the expressway completed. That alone is sufficient reason to support Casey in this race.