On January 4, 2012, Representative Patty Kim and Senator Rob Teplitz arrived on site to inspect the sinkhole located on the 2100 block of N4th Street in Harrisburg.

With the capital city of Pennsylvania in dire fiscal straits and under State Receivership, Representative Kim called on Receiver William Lynch to use his position on behalf of the City of Harrisburg. "Since we're under Receivership, we need to look to the Receiver," Kim said. She went on to say that Lynch should be looking for ways to access State funds to help the City confront this dire issue.

When told that Receiver Lynch had made an earlier comment that the Office of the Receiver had no funds to assist the struggling city, the newly sworn-in Representative replied, "That response is unacceptable."

Both Kim and Senator Teplitz stressed the need for transportation infrastructure funding at the State level to help local municipalities confront aging systems.

In the past year, a transportation funding bill has been a significant topic amongst PA Legislators. In August of 2011, the Governor's Transportation Funding Advisory Commission Report issued a report, yet since then, partisan debate has delayed any legislative action on it. Teplitz declared, "We need to take action much, much quicker on the Governor's Transportation Advisory Commission proposals."

Governor Tom Corbett has indicated that a transportation funding bill will be a priority in 2013.

As it is now, it is unclear how the City of Harrisburg will pay for this massive water, sewage, and road repair. While the Mayor of Harrisburg claims the source of funds to make the repairs will come from water and sewer maintenance funds, the actual means to pay the project is in question. Plus, with the exact costs still not known, it has yet to be determined if enough cash is on hand to cover the total project regardless of the City account used. Although, residences are expected to have restored water and sewer service within 30 days, it's estimated that the road won't be able to be paved until April.

by Tara Leo Auchey

photo by Natalie Cake