Meaningful opportunities for engagement under the PennDOT Connects initiative are occurring this spring. PennDOT Connects helps local governments be heard and improve transportation projects in ways that previously may not have been considered or were recognized too late in the project delivery process. Attend a session near you to learn more about PennDOT Connects and the free resources available to municipalities. Register for the 2023 sessions here.

The sessions are for municipal elected officials, managers, planners, engineers, public works directors, roadmasters, or others involved in transportation projects. In addition to an overview of the PennDOT Connects Municipal Resources Program, information will be provided on the following:

On Jan. 30, 2023, PennDOT released data from preliminary traffic counts taken four months after the opening of the Northern Section of the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) Project. The recent traffic counts show that the CSVT River Bridge is carrying roughly 12,000 total vehicles and 3,100 trucks per day. Traffic counts on Route 15 and Route 405 appear to show that CSVT has removed north-south through traffic from both Lewisburg Borough in Union County and Northumberland Borough in Northumberland County.

Route 15 south of Lewisburg Borough:

Route 405 (old Route 147) north of Northumberland Borough:

The preliminary estimates are based on traffic counts performed in October of 2022. Following the opening of a new highway, it may take a year or more before new travel patterns are established. PennDOT anticipates performing additional traffic counts in late 2023 to further assess the effects of the CSVT Northern Section opening.

A new round of Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside Program funding is expected to open in summer 2023. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin their planning, design, and public involvement efforts as soon as possible.

The TA Set-Aside program provides funds to construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities; improve access to public transportation; create safe routes to school; incorporate community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; provide environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; create trail projects that serve a transportation purpose, while promoting safety and mobility; and provide for vulnerable road user safety assessments.

Draft application submissions will be mandatory for the next round. There is a minimum award of $50,000 for TA Set-Aside construction projects. Projects are funded at 100% of the construction cost (including construction inspection) up to the amount awarded. The maximum award is $1.5 million, although higher awards can be justified on a case-by-case basis for “exceptional” projects. At least $28 million is expected to be available for the next statewide funding round. We will share finalized details in a future newsletter.

The SEDA-COG MPO offers technical assistance to TA Set-Aside project sponsors, and reviews, ranks, and comments on applications from the region that are submitted to PennDOT. Applications are reviewed based on criteria such as safety benefits, project delivery, reasonableness of cost, environmental justice, network connectivity, economic impact, and leveraging of other projects or funding.

More details on the TA Set-Aside program can be found here.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) reauthorized surface transportation programs through Fiscal Year 2026. In doing so, the BIL devotes $550 billion through 2026 for new federal investment in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit, water infrastructure, resilience, and broadband. The Federal Highway Administration has a comprehensive BIL resource website available here.

In addition, a variety of recent funding resources have been developed for local governments and other BIL program applicants:

We will continue to monitor guidance related to the BIL and report updates in this newsletter.

The Middle Susquehanna Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was adopted by the SEDA-COG MPO in May 2019. To help implement this Plan, the SEDA-COG MPO and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership formed a Middle Susquehanna Active Transportation Committee. The Committee's mission is to enhance quality of life in the Middle Susquehanna Valley through the development of a regional network of walkable and bikeable communities and the promotion of a bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly culture. The Committee and its work groups on Safety, Connections, and Community Engagement are diligently laboring on multiple fronts to implement the Plan's action items, goals, and overarching vision.

A few recent successes include:

Questions can be directed to SEDA-COG's Bryce Buck.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

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