Pennsylvania plan calls for $64 billion in transportation projects

The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission has adopted an updated 12-year transportation plan, which calls for $63.9 billion worth of improvements to railroads, transit systems, roads, bridges and airports.

The new program, which goes into effect Oct. 1, calls for $9.62 billion for public transit, $319 million for multimodal and $228 million for freight-rail projects during 2019 through 2022, according to a press release from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

From 2023 through 2026, the plan calls for $8.3 billion will be available for public transit, $348 million for multimodal and $229 million for freight rail. During 2027 through 2030, the plan calls for $9.25 billion for transit, $391 million for multimodal and $229 million for freight rail.

The projects depend on the availability of funding, which state transportation officials anticipate would come from a combination of federal, state and local dollars.

State law requires the commission to review and update the 12-year program every two years. No capital project can move forward unless it is included in the program, PennDOT officials said.

"We and our planning partners developed this update with an eye on striking the right balance between allowing for some limited capacity expansion and taking the needed steps to ensure our existing system is well maintained," said PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards. "While we are fortunate to have revenues to support an effective program, we understand that we face challenges to maintain this progress."

The plan will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for review and approval. The Federal Highway Administration coordinates with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review the plan’s conformity with air quality requirements.

Projects included in the plan can be viewed by clicking on a county map contained in this state report.