PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 3081, 3270 PRINTER'S NO. 3646
No. 2293 Session of 1990
INTRODUCED BY BOWLEY, DeWEESE, BROUJOS, YANDRISEVITS, MORRIS,
VEON, JADLOWIEC, MERRY, D. F. CLARK, KOSINSKI, BELARDI,
CAPPABIANCA, DEMPSEY, FAIRCHILD, MELIO, HALUSKA, PRESSMANN,
DISTLER, BATTISTO, COY, HERMAN, PESCI, D. R. WRIGHT,
KUKOVICH, TANGRETTI, FREEMAN, LINTON, NOYE, HAYDEN, HESS,
CARLSON, HECKLER, STAIRS, LAUGHLIN, TRELLO, COLAIZZO, FARGO,
PETRARCA AND BUSH, FEBRUARY 12, 1990
AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
JUNE 5, 1990
AN ACT
1 Providing for the establishment of a Timber Bridge Program
2 within the Department of Transportation.
3 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
4 hereby enacts as follows:
5 Section 1. Short title.
6 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Timber Bridge
7 Act.
8 Section 2. Findings.
9 The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
10 (1) This Commonwealth is approximately 58% forested with
11 over 16.8 million acres of commercial forest land. This
12 renewable natural resource provides a source of valuable
13 timber, habitat for wildlife, protection for watersheds and
14 outdoor recreation opportunities.
15 (2) The forest products industry is a vital segment of
1 this Commonwealth's manufacturing sector with over 1,600
2 companies employing approximately 82,000 people with an
3 annual payroll of over $1 billion.
4 (3) The use of Pennsylvania hardwoods in the
5 construction of State highway and non-State highway bridges
6 is economically beneficial to this Commonwealth and local
7 municipalities.
8 Section 3. Definitions.
9 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
10 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
11 context clearly indicates otherwise:
12 "Department." The Department of Transportation of the
13 Commonwealth.
14 "Timber bridge." A bridge which meets design specifications
15 as approved by the department and uses in its construction
16 hardwoods INDIGENOUS TO THIS COMMONWEALTH. <--
17 Section 4. Timber Bridge Program.
18 (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the
19 department a Timber Bridge Program for the purposes of research,
20 design, construction, inspection monitoring and maintenance of
21 hardwood timber bridges and other hardwood structures used to
22 improve highway transportation or safety.
23 (b) Powers and duties.--The department shall have the
24 following powers and duties:
25 (1) To conduct research projects related to the
26 engineering qualities of glued-laminated and hardwood-steel
27 composite timber bridges.
28 (2) To develop design standards and specifications for
29 the use of hardwood timber bridges.
30 (3) To construct timber bridges on State highways where
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1 they are appropriate and cost-effective.
2 (4) To develop an inspection manual to be used by timber
3 bridge field inspectors.
4 (5) To regularly inspect and monitor timber bridges
5 constructed by the department on State highways.
6 (6) To develop an information manual on the correct
7 maintenance procedures for timber bridges.
8 (7) To identify those State highway bridges which may be
9 suitable for replacement with a timber bridge.
10 (8) To investigate the feasibility of using hardwoods in
11 other highway improvement structures such as retaining walls,
12 guide rails and signposts.
13 Section 5. Non-State timber bridge grants.
14 (a) Authorization.--Local municipalities are authorized to
15 construct timber bridges on local roads where appropriate, cost-
16 effective and in accordance with department standards, design
17 and construction specifications.
18 (b) Grants.--Local timber bridges may be built and funded
19 pursuant to the formula set forth in the act of December 8, 1982
20 (P.L.848, No.235), known as the Highway-Railroad and Highway
21 Bridge Capital Budget Act for 1982-1983.
22 (c) Itemization of bridge.--In order to be eligible for the
23 grant under this program, the replacement bridge must be a
24 timber bridge and the bridge must be itemized in the act of
25 December 8, 1982 (P.L.848, No.235), known as the Highway-
26 Railroad and Highway Bridge Capital Budget Act for 1982-1983.
27 SECTION 6. COVERED BRIDGES. <--
28 THE DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO UTILIZE TIMBER FOR
29 CONSTRUCTION OF COVERED BRIDGES UPON APPLICATION OF ANY
30 MUNICIPALITY WHICH AGREES TO PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL COST OF
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1 CONSTRUCTION REQUIRED FOR THE COVERED BRIDGE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH
2 DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS.
3 Section 6 7. Reports. <--
4 The department shall make a biennial written report to the
5 General Assembly on the status of the Timber Bridge Program in
6 this Commonwealth.
7 Section 7 8. Rules and regulations. <--
8 The department shall have the power to promulgate rules and
9 regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
10 Section 8 9. Effective date. <--
11 This act shall take effect immediately.
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