“Budd Bill” approved by State Senate
HARRISBURG – After a 2014 Union County rock-throwing incident caused serious injuries to an Ohio teacher, the state senate has approved a bill to prevent those incidents from happening again. Legislation to require the installation of protective fencing over Interstate highways was unanimously approved Tuesday, says Senator Gene Yaw, sponsor of the measure.
The bill establishes the “Bridge Fencing Safety Act.” It authorizes PennDOT to include protective fencing in the construction of new bridges and erect protective fencing on any existing bridge at the time of major renovation.
In 2014, Sharon Budd suffered serious head injuries when a rock plunged into her vehicle thrown from an Interstate 80 overpass. Four teens where charged and jailed in the case. Budd’s husband Randy was instrumental in lobbying for the new bill.
On September 20, three juvenile suspects in Berks County were arrested in connection with a case of rock-throwing. Three vehicles were damaged on I-78 in that incident. Those juveniles have been charged. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. (Matt Catrillo)
