NorthCental PA to See Little of $24.7M for Smart Transportation Projects in 41 Communities

Harrisburg – “Smart Transportation” projects in 41 communities across the state will get a boost from $24.7 million in funding under the second round of the Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative grants, PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. announced today.

The Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative, or PCTI, is a competitive funding program to support and encourage local transportation projects that exemplify the goals of Smart Transportation.

“Smart Transportation means partnering to build great communities for future generations of Pennsylvanians by linking transportation investments and land-use planning and decision-making,” said Biehler. “The Smart Transportation initiative has made great progress in advancing livability and sustainability goals.

“With PCTI, we want to underwrite and encourage planning and construction projects that demonstrate creative and efficient ways of bringing together local partners for transportation projects that improve our communities,” said Biehler.

PennDOT received 238 applications from cities, boroughs, townships, Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations, transit agencies and advocacy groups requesting more than $175 million. The list of successful projects support local economic development; encourage walkable, multimodal, mixed-use development; improve regional connectivity; or enhance the existing transportation network.

In the first round of PCTI funding in 2009, $59.2 million was allotted to 50 Smart Transportation-related projects. Planning studies from the first round are nearing completion and most of the construction projects were either initiated during the 2010 construction season or will go to construction in 2011.

Two of the completed construction projects from the first round are a mixed use trail linking Altoona’s Penn State University campus to the central business district in Blair County and a free shared ride lot located near Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 22 in Lebanon County that serves commuters from Berks, Lebanon, and Schuylkill counties. Lebanon Transit provides bus service to downtown Harrisburg from the lot.

PCTI funding comes from the state’s Transportation Improvement Program and is provided to project sponsors on a reimbursement basis after work is completed.

For more information on the PCTI program and Smart Transportation, visit the Smart Transportation website at: www.smart-transportation.com.

Media contact: Rich Kirkpatrick, 717-783-8800

Editor’s Note: Following is a list of projects receiving PCTI funding:

Adams County
Borough of New Oxford will receive $74,500 to develop a plan to calm traffic and improve pedestrian access in the center square area.

Allegheny County
Airport Corridor Transportation Association will receive $700,000 to reduce congestion and provide better transit, pedestrian, and bicycle access near the Robinson and North Fayette Township commercial area.

City of Pittsburgh will receive $280,000 to develop a multi-modal traffic simulation and land-use model for the city’s Strip District.

Richland Township will receive $1,300,000 to improve pedestrian access and traffic flow by constructing sidewalks, a median, and creating left turn lanes near the intersection of Route 8 and Ewalt Road.

Armstrong County
County of Armstrong will receive $300,000 to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of traffic flow and safety improvements for Kittanning Borough.

Blair County
Borough of Tyrone will receive $517,324 to enhance Pennsylvania Avenue by improving pedestrian access and calming traffic.

Bucks County
Falls Township will receive $90,000 to improve traffic flow and access management along Trenton Avenue.

Richland Township will receive $713,000 to create a community gateway on Trumbauersville Road.

Butler County
Borough of Saxonburg will receive $1,422,017 for enhancements to the historic Main Street.

Cambria County
City of Johnstown will receive $1,500,000 to improve the connection between Route 56 and Main Street and create a gateway to the central business district.

Centre County
Centre Area Transportation Authority will receive $100,000 to investigate an approach to provide universal transit access to the residents within the greater State College area.

Chester County
Borough of Phoenixville will receive $598,000 to implement streetscape amenities on Bridge Street initiated by the borough’s residents, merchants, and building owners.

County of Chester will receive $85,000 to complete a bicycle and pedestrian multi-municipal master plan emphasizing linkages to regional trails and access to transportation centers in central Chester County.

Pennsbury Township will receive $80,000 to conduct a multi-municipal study to link recreational, institutional, cultural, and commercial destinations in the Battle Path area.

Transportation Management Association of Chester County will receive $128,000 to plan improvements to infrastructure and multi-modal access along the Route 29 corridor in the Great Valley area.

Clearfield County
Borough of Coalport will receive $475,000 to improve the streetscape along Main Street in coordination with scheduled roadway improvements.

Cumberland County
Borough of Carlisle will receive $539,643 to construct on-road bicycle lanes and off-road trails within the borough and three surrounding municipalities.

Borough of Lemoyne will receive $1,500,000 to implement the second phase of an enhancement project derived from a community based visioning approach.

Lower Allen Township will receive $185,000 to create a bicycle and pedestrian linkage between residential, educational and recreational facilities currently separated by Interstate 83.

Erie County
Borough of North East will receive $300,000 to develop a Smart Transportation and Land Use Strategic Plan.

Erie County General Authority will receive $300,000 to plan for the multi-modal transport of freight containers in conjunction with the Erie Inland Port initiative.

Indiana County
Borough of Indiana will receive $1,500,000 for transportation enhancements to create better linkages between the borough’s commercial corridor, Main Street, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Lackawanna County
Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority will receive $459,009 to remedy safety issues for pedestrians and bicyclist using the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Archbald.

Lancaster County
Warwick Township will receive $393,254 to extend Highland Drive to enhance connectivity of the existing street network and reduce congestion on Route 501.

Lehigh County
Lower Macungie and Upper Macungie Townships will receive $125,000 to identify a complete street strategy for the Hamilton Boulevard corridor emphasizing land use changes, public transit, and intermodal amenities.

Luzerne County
Kingston Township will receive $300,000 to complete a 2-mile multi-use trail between the Borough of Luzerne and the village of Trucksville adjacent to Route 309.

Borough of West Wyoming will receive $295,400 to improve walkability along the West Side Trail.

Lycoming County
County of Lycoming will receive $982,000 to implement its Pathways to Health initiative to improve access for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and emergency vehicles in coordination with the expansion of Susquehanna Health.

Mercer County
Shenango Valley Area Transportation Study MPO will receive $280,000 to study opportunities to improve congestion and safety along the State Street/Irvine Avenue Corridor in the Cities of Hermitage and Sharon.

Mifflin County
County of Mifflin will receive $1,473,400 to continue revitalization efforts in downtown Lewistown in conjunction with planned future development of senior housing in the area.

Monroe County
Borough of Stroudsburg will receive $407,119 to construct curb extension, relocate light poles, and install decorative crosswalks in coordination with a Congested Corridor Improvement Program initiative on Main Street.

Montgomery County
City Avenue Special Services District will receive $301,145 to improve walkability and safety on Bala Avenue between the Bala and Cynwyd rail-served transit stations in Lower Merion Township.

Hatfield Township and the Borough of Hatfield will receive $27,000 to develop a plan to improve land use controls, identify sidewalk gaps, and identify traffic calming opportunities along the North Broad Street Business District.

Northumberland County
City of Sunbury will receive $1,050,000 to create a more livable, accessible, and safer community for residents and businesses along Wolverton Street.

Philadelphia
City of Philadelphia will receive $1,300,000 to facilitate the reuse the Manayunk Railroad Bridge to connect the Schuylkill River and Cynwyd Trails.

City of Philadelphia will receive $1,100,000 to improve connectivity between the Old City neighborhood and waterfront activities, parks, and trails along Race Street.

Schuylkill County
Borough of Mahanoy City will receive $1,020,000 to continue activities to improve accessibility while adding pedestrian safety and aesthetics to the downtown business district.

Somerset County
County of Somerset will receive $617,500 to construct a 20-car park and ride lot adjacent to the Route 30 and Route 219 interchange in Jenner Township.

Venango County
County of Venango will receive $250,000 to explore transportation enhancement improvements and multi-modal opportunities to manage congestion along Route 8 in the Borough of Sugar Creek and the City of Franklin.

Warren County
Borough of Youngsville will receive $1,000,000 to implement the Youngsville Revitalization and Economic Redevelopment Enhancement Plan.

Washington County
County of Washington will receive $443,500 to construct 9 miles of recreational trail completing the Panhandle Trail between the Borough of Carnegie in Allegheny County to the City of Weirton, WV.

York County
County of York will receive $175,000 to study the impacts of different growth-management scenarios relating to transportation, livability, sustainability, climate change, environment, health, and quality of life.