Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Announces 43 Multimodal Projects
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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced $45.9 million in funding has been invested in multimodal projects meant to improve safety, mobility and economic activity.
The funds were dispersed across 43 highway, bridge, rail, bicycle and pedestrian projects in 21 counties. The funding was issued through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, which was enacted in 2013.
Specifically, the projects will help local government agencies improve roadways, repair or replace bridges and address accessibility concerns.
.@GovernorTomWolf today announced the approval of 116 new projects through the Multimodal Transportation Fund, improving PA’s transportation infrastructure and ensuring safer, more reliable transportation accommodation across the commonwealth. https://t.co/21Z83gEYs2 — Office of the Governor (@GovernorsOffice) April 21, 2021
“Investing in our communities continues to be critical to moving the economy forward in 2021,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “Making roadways more accessible for all modes of travel assures that we are making continued business connections for the future and keeps transportation an integral part of daily living.”
Some $2.19 million was awarded to a project in Kennett Township that will address a five-pointed intersection by replacing it with a roundabout. This project is meant to eliminate vehicular conflicts and enhance operational safety. Kennett Township is located in southeast Pennsylvania and borders Delaware.
According to Richard Leff, chair of Kennett Township’s Board of Supervisors, addressing this intersection has been a priority of the board for several years.
“Investing in infrastructure is not always easy, but it is a crucial responsibility of locally elected officials” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Whitney Hoffman. “We appreciate the funding assistance from the commonwealth to improve this intersection that many people navigate on a daily basis.”
In Greene County, some $829,950 has been granted to replace a bridge that has been classified as being in poor condition since 1991. Greene County is located in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania.
According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s 2021 Bridge Report, some 14.6% of Pennsylvania’s bridges are classified as structurally deficient.
Pennsylvania Bridge Inventory by Transport Topics
Some $382,771 will be used to relocate a portion of road that has been prone to landslides in Kennedy Township, which is nine miles west of Pittsburgh. The project is meant to enhance vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian and school bus safety.
PennDOT evaluated the applications based on a variety of criteria, such as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, technical feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency and operational sustainability.
The department’s next round of Multimodal Transportation Fund grant applications will open in September. Grants are available for projects that cost at least $100,000. No grant will exceed $3 million for any project. Municipalities, councils of governments, economic development groups, ports, businesses and public transportation agencies are eligible to apply.
“Transportation moves communities and economies forward,” Wolf said. “These investments will assist with overall mobility and safety in our local communities.”
Infrastructure and economic development are important to Pennsylvania. According to Wolf’s office, nearly $500 billion in goods and services moves through the state every year.
Pennsylvania also is important for freight movement, and trucking activity is expected to grow in the coming years. According to PennDOT’s Comprehensive Freight Movement Plan, the state’s infrastructure network carries 1.1 billion tons of freight, a figure that is expected to increase to 1.9 billion by 2040.
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