Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) secretary Barry Schoch announces the pending receipt of approximately $33 million in federal funds that will be applied to the DOT’s running list of 56 projects aimed at improving the overall state of transportation statewide, from new construction to improving state of good repair.
In response to the fundamental administrative changes marked by 2012’s MAP-21, the DOT began to identify specific pieces of its infrastructure in need of aid. Prior to MAP-21 requirements, transportation initiatives in the state had been segregated to separate programs, including Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, Scenic Byways, and the Recreational Trails Program—all of which now are housed under the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
TAP initiatives are intended to enhance pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, preserve historic transportation structures, provide environmental mitigation, create trails that serve a transportation purpose, and promote safety and mobility.
Among the projects that will benefit from the imminent funding boost are: Broad Top Township in Bedford County will convert the four remaining miles of an abandoned railroad right of way into a multi-use trail that will complete 10.6 miles of the H&BT Rail Trail; Bristol Township will improve the streetscape along Route 13 (Bristol Pike) from the bridge over the Neshaminy Creek to a point west of Walnut Avenue within the downtown Croydon Business District; Carbon County will install a prefabricated pedestrian bridge across the Lehigh River to connect the 60 miles of D&L Trail north in Carbon and Luzerne counties to the 105 miles of D&L Trail in Northampton, Lehigh and Bucks counties; and in Prospect Park Borough (Delaware County) improvements will be made to the Route 420 corridor that include sidewalk and curb replacements, new pedestrian lighting, crosswalks, traffic signal improvements, addition of ADA compliant ramps, landscaping, signage and storm water improvements.
