HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to advance House Bill 1608, bipartisan legislation designed to modernize how the state delivers road and bridge projects.
The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Ed Neilson, chair of the Transportation Committee, and Rep. James Struzzi (R-Indiana), would allow PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission to use Design-Build Best Value (DBBV) procurement. This method would enable agencies to award contracts based on overall value rather than just the lowest bid — a practice currently restricted due to a 2011 Commonwealth Court decision.
“As the cost of maintaining our vast transportation infrastructure continues to rise, we need to find innovative ways to ensure these projects are completed by the most qualified team and in a timely manner to avoid frustrating drivers with long construction projects,” Neilson stated.
“DBBV is used successfully in many states and has shown to speed up construction and reduce costs,” he continued.
DBBV has been widely adopted across the country, demonstrating that allowing flexibility in awarding contracts can improve both the quality and speed of critical infrastructure improvements.
House Bill 1608 now moves to the House floor for a full vote. Last session, similar legislation passed the House with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 189-14 but did not receive a final vote in the Senate.
If approved, the measure could mark a significant shift in how Pennsylvania tackles its pressing infrastructure challenges, potentially reducing delays and improving safety for millions of drivers statewide.
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