Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced 27 highway, bridge, transit, and bike and pedestrian projects in 23 counties would receive more than $30 million from the Multimodal Transportation Fund.
As part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) commitment to improving locally-owned infrastructure, some of the projects will help local government address assets in need of repair or replacement.
“Transportation is critical to connecting communities and economies, and we are an important partner in bringing progress across the state,” Governor Wolf said. “These investments will improve overall mobility and safety while bolstering commercial projects.”
Projects include $2.5 million for the municipality of Penn Hills to improve 31 streets in that city, from repaving to ADA compliant cutouts and sidewalks to making streets more accessible to pedestrians, bicycles and public transportation vehicles, and $1.9 million for the city of Pittston to correct a dangerous curve on North Main Street that regularly sees traffic issues and accidents.
Other projects include an access road with a boat launch for canoes and kayaks in Latrobe; two roundabouts, a new bus stop, bike share stations and directional signage in Berks County; and the rehabilitation of three county bridges in Columbia County.
“Whether we’re making roadways more accessible to all modes of travel or creating new connections for businesses investing in our communities, transportation is integral to our quality of life,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “These projects will bring long-lasting improvements across the state.”
Applications for grant funding were judged on criteria such as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.