The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has begun work on 79 “Rapid Deployment Projects” to speed up road repairs across the state, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
The projects, funded by the state’s 2026-2027 budget, will tackle repairs on more than 400 miles of roads in 44 counties. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll announced $250 million in funding was awarded to the projects, the first of $775 million from the Motor License Fund to quickly repair state-owned roads. The funding allows the projects to begin early, reduce ongoing maintenance costs, prevent further road deterioration and free up resources like crews and equipment for use in other projects.
“PennDOT has improved over 21,800 road miles and advanced work on nearly 2,000 state and local bridges — more than almost every other state in the nation,” Shapiro said. “As a result of the funding secured in this year’s state budget, Pennsylvanians will see more miles paved faster than originally scheduled. I’m committed to ensuring our communities have the modern transportation networks they need to continue to compete and grow.”
Work is underway on Route 378 between U.S. 22 and Hill-to-Hill Bridge in Bethlehem, Lehigh County, as well as on 10 miles of U.S. 40 in Fayette County, and on 6 miles of Route 77 in Crawford County.
“Every county in Pennsylvania will see additional paving over the next 18 months because the Shapiro Administration secured additional funding in this year’s budget,” Carroll said. “Investing in these additional and expanded projects also allows PennDOT maintenance crews and funds to focus on other activities that help preserve our road and bridge system.”
As part of the improvements to Route 378, PennDOT crews will conduct work that includes milling and paving, concrete patching, base repairs, joint repairs, bridge deck repairs and overlays, guide rail upgrades, and new pavement marking along mainline Route 378 and the ramps at the interchanges with Catasauqua Road, 8th Avenue, and Center City exit.
“After consistently growing our region for the last 30 years, our infrastructure has fallen behind,” state Senator Nick Miller (D-Allentown), said. “But under the leadership of Governor Shapiro, we’ve been able to catch up, and accelerate some of these projects. The work isn’t done, but these dollars are opening up opportunities and ensuring that our infrastructure can match the demand.”