SHARE:  
Join Our Email List
Know What Steps to Take When Accidents Happen on the Roadways
Imagine that you are driving on a road, and suddenly, you become involved in a minor fender bender or a crash. Do you know how to keep yourself and others safe? There are important steps that every driver should take.

If possible, you will want to move your vehicle away from the travel lanes and off to the side of the road. While it might be necessary to exchange insurance information with a fellow driver, you should always be aware of your surroundings. So, stay put and buckled-in until you can assess the situation. Try not to let the adrenaline or nerves rattle you.

For additional tips on how to stay safe, click on the image above to watch the fourth video from our Safe Driving series that we are debuting this month. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's online library--it is jam-packed full of resources.
A Heartfelt Farewell
After more than three-and-a-half years of leading our organization, Vince Valdes, Executive Director, will retire this fall. 
 
Valdes came to our organization at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a tumultuous time for everyone both personally and professionally.
Despite the many challenges that the pandemic brought, he led our team with compassion, conviction, and clarity. 
 
Additionally, he made many strategic improvements that enhanced our organization's internal operations, and chartered a path forward that will lead to future successes. One of the improvements he spearheaded was our organization's recent move to The Terminal in the Strip District.
 
“Leading SPC has been one of the highlights of my career,” said Valdes. “I've been fortunate to work alongside talented and dedicated professionals, and I know that the hard work this team does each and every single day positively impacts our local communities.”
 
As the federally certified Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Local Development District (LDD), and Economic Development District (EDD), our organization works with local, state, and federal partners to plan for the continued growth of this region.
 
Valdes and his wife will relocate to Norfolk, Virginia where they plan to spend a lot of time with their four adult children and extended family members. 
Future Funding Opportunities
PennDOT is accepting applications for the FY24/25 Multimodal Transportation Fund through 4 p.m. on Nov. 13. This program is designed to provide financial assistance to municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities to improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. As the region’s MPO, we will provide comment on these applications, and encourage prospective applicants to meet with our team members and their respective PennDOT District office to discuss scope during project development. 

As part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is accepting applications for its Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program through Nov. 13. Ten percent of NEVI Formula Program is set-aside to make grants available to states and localities that require additional assistance to strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure. To make the current EV charging network more reliable, the first round of funding made available will focus on repairing or replacing non-operational EV chargers. You can find a map of these eligible stations here.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Thriving Communities Program (TCP) is currently accepting applications. The TCP aims to ensure that disadvantaged communities adversely or disproportionately impacted by environmental, climate, and human health policy outcomes have the technical tools and organizational capacity to compete for federal aid and deliver quality infrastructure projects that enable their communities and neighborhoods to thrive. The call for Letters of Interest (LOI) from communities seeking support from the program is open until Nov. 15, while the NOFO for Capacity Builders is open until Nov. 28. Applicants can find examples of projects and previous awards here.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a rolling NOFO for the Large Bridge Project portion of the Bridge Investment Program. Applications for Large Bridge Project Grants (>$100 million will be accepted through Nov. 27 for FY 23-24 funding. The Bridge Investment Program is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition.

If your government entity or organization is interested in pursuing funding under these grants or other opportunities and has questions or requests for letters of support, please contact Lillian Gabreski. Lillian is our Manager of Sponsored Programs Development and she can be reached at lgabreski@spcregion.org. 
ICYMI: News We're Paying Attention To

WPXI-TV: VIDEO: New technology to protect drivers to be installed on major local highway

Indiana Gazette: Public participation about transportation begins in Indiana County

Pittsburgh Magazine: Does Your Company Manufacture Some of the Robotics Industry’s Innovative Technologies?
 
Butler Eagle: New Jackson Township bridge connects communities

Pittsburgh Union-Progress: ‘In all their glory’: Decorative lights show off Pittsburgh’s Three Sisters bridges

Observer-Reporter: Milestone moment: Hillman Park site of state's 100th well capping

New Castle News: Additional payments for bus garage approved

WESA-FM: How a $9 million grant will boost Pittsburgh's urban forest

WCCS-FM: Public Participation Panel for TIP Plan

Indiana Gazette: Buffalo-Pittsburgh Railroad gets $11.3 million federal grant

Tribune-Review: Feds award nearly $25M to Pittsburgh high-tech energy projects

The Leader Times: Kittanning Citizens Bridge undergoes repairs

Observer-Reporter: DCNR invests in local recreation and conservation efforts

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: With acquisition, former New Kensington Alcoa plant hailed as future 'center for advanced manufacturing'

The Leader Times: PennDOT honors Star of Excellence Recipients, agency recognizes 31 employees across Pa

Easton Express-Times: State officials kick off Commonwealth Sustainability Week

Observer-Reporter: Virtual plans display unveiled for Sugar Run Road intersection in Greene County

WITF-FM: Pennsylvania’s Latino economy is growing at a fast pace, new report shows

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Southwestern Pa. is part of 'transformational' investment in clean hydrogen, Biden says

Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh International Airport's $1.5B terminal project makes big strides

Butler Eagle: Adams Twp. paves the way to efficiency

The Leader Times: Area railroad gets $11 million federal boost

Observer-Reporter: Greene kicking off next step in broadband expansion

Pittsburgh Business Times: DEP secretary provides updates on permitting reform
Noteworthy Events in Our Region
PennDOT will host a series of
community conversations about electric vehicles (EVs) throughout the state
later this fall. Representatives from PennDOT will be on hand to talk about the
state's EV initiatives and funding opportunities. We will host the agency's community
conversation event for the Southwestern region at our new office in The Terminal. It will take place from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Nov. 8. For more information and to register click here. 
Pittsburgh Robotics Network will host its annual Discovery Day on Nov. 16 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.  This is an initiative led by the Pittsburgh Robotics Network in partnership with our organization and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. This event is supported by the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative as part of a $62.7 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The event is free and open to the public and will showcase the cutting-edge robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. For more information and to register click here. 

Mark Your Calendar! Upcoming Public Meetings on the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for years 2025-2028 is currently being developed. Our organization is hosting introductory meetings to provide status updates about the TIP before a draft plan is made available for the public’s review in late Spring 2024. We had our first TIP public meeting in Indiana County last week, and there are 10 more meetings scheduled through December.

Staff members from our organization, PennDOT, county officials, and area stakeholders will participate in these meetings, and will be available to answer the public's questions pertaining to specific transportation projects and infrastructure planning.

If you have questions about these upcoming TIP meetings or want to become involved with us, please reach out to Ronda Craig, our Public Involvement Coordinator, at rcraig@spcregion.org or 412.391.5590 x 0372.

We welcome members of the public to attend and engage with us! For additional meeting details, visit the event page on our website.

Meeting Schedule

Greene County
October 30, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
107 Fairgrounds Rd, Waynesburg, PA 15370

Allegheny County
November 1, 2023 | 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Allegheny County Courthouse, County Stat Conference Room, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Westmoreland County
November 2, 2023 | 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
Westmoreland County Courthouse, Commissioners Mtg Room, 2 N Main Street Greensburg, PA 15601

Fayette County
November 9, 2023 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
2 W Main Street (formerly the Gallatin Bank Building), Uniontown, PA 15401

Beaver County
November 13, 2023 | 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Beaver County Courthouse, 810 Third St, Beaver, PA 15009

Washington County
November 21, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
Washington County Courthouse Square Building, Room 103/104, 100 W Beau St, Washington, PA 15301

City of Pittsburgh
November 29, 2023 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 pm 
Virtual

Lawrence County 
December 1, 2023 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
Gallo's Italian Villa, 2420 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA

Butler County
December 6, 2023 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Middlesex Twp. Municipal Building, 135 Browns Hill Road, Valencia, PA 16059

Armstrong County
December 8, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Butler Community College at Armstrong (BC3), 1100 Fourth Avenue, Ford City, PA 16226
Interested in Joining Our Team?
Our organization is currently accepting applications for two full-time positions, a Transportation Planner/Development Associate and an Accountant III.

As a Transportation Planner/Development Associate, you will be responsible for the research and development of discretionary funding applications for local, state and federal programs to advance the priorities of the region. For additional responsibilities and how to apply click here.

As an Accountant III, you will be responsible for maintaining financial records, ensuring that transactions are properly recorded, and overseeing other daily accounting department activities. For additional responsibilities and how to apply click here.

We offer competitive compensation and a generous benefits package that includes:

  • Medical, dental, vision, and FSA insurance (medical insurance premium is paid by us for yourself and your dependents)
  • Flexible hybrid work schedule
  • Modern office environment (we are located in The Terminal, in the heart of the Strip District)
  • Vacation time, sick time and personal leave
  • 11 paid federal holidays
  • Tuition assistance
  • 7 percent automatic monthly contribution to your retirement after three years
This e-newsletter is provided as a service to all SPC members. Please send any comments or suggestions to SPCNews@spcregion.org