Pennsylvania transportation projects to receive nearly $80 mln in funding

More than 140 new transportation infrastructure improvement projects in Pennsylvania will receive approximately $79.3 million in funding after receiving approval from the state’s Commonwealth Financing Authority.

The projects spread throughout 42 counties will be funded through the Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF), which supports projects that ensure safer, more reliable transportation and improve the state’s transportation infrastructure.

“Supporting Pennsylvania’s infrastructure supports our communities and our economy,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “By making infrastructure investments in projects across the commonwealth, we will make it easier for commuters to get to and from work safely, and for businesses to transport their goods efficiently. These are investments with far-reaching impacts.”

A well-maintained infrastructure system is critical to safely and efficiently moving nearly $500 billion in goods and services through the state annually.

The MTF was established in 2013 to fund improvement projects. The program funds several types of improvement projects, including roads, walking and bike trails, rail, traffic safety, public transportation, and air transport.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is an independent agency within the Department of Community and Economic Development that has fiduciary responsibility over the state’s programs and investments in economic growth. For a project to be approved, it must receive five affirmative votes.

The transportation projects will be located in Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Franklin, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Washington, Wyoming, and York counties.