State Transportation Commission to Begin Update of the Transportation Program
Regional Hearings Set to Gather Public Testimony

HARRISBURG: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., today announced that the State Transportation Commission (STC), in partnership with Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) across the state, will begin a series of hearings to gather public input to develop the next update of the Transportation Program.

“Public input serves as the keystone to this program,” said Biehler. “We encourage planners, elected officials, groups and individuals alike to submit their testimony and help set the direction for highways, bridges, public transportation, rail freight and aviation projects in the years to come.”

The Transportation Program will serve as a “blueprint” to determine which transportation projects will advance to the design and construction phase and be expected to be funded over a 12-year period. The program is updated every two years.

Regional meetings will be at the following locations:

• Friday, Aug. 5—Scranton, Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, 700 Lackawanna Ave.
• Thursday, Aug. 18—Philadelphia, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, 190 North Independence Mall West, 8th floor.
• Friday, Aug. 19—Lancaster, Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center, 2300 Lincoln Highway East.
• Wednesday, Aug. 31—Altoona, The Casino, 300 Lakemont Park Blvd.
• Thursday, Sept. 1—State College, The Nittany Lion Inn, 200 West Park Ave.
• Thursday, Sept. 22—Erie, Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center, Courtyard by Marriott, 7794 Peach St.
• Friday, Sept. 23—Pittsburgh, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, 425 Sixth Ave., 31st floor.

The STC, along with regional planning partners, have hearings every two years before adopting a final recommended program.

“We must continue to practice good stewardship of scarce resources,” Biehler said. “This means continuing our diligence to develop transportation projects that address the highest priority needs within available funding.”

Oral testimony will be accepted in person at the hearings. To schedule oral testimony, contact the STC office at (717) 787-2913.

In addition to public testimony, persons can also provide written testimony via E-mail, fax, mail or by completing the “Program Abstract” found at www.dot.state.pa.us. Written testimony can be sent directly to the STC at aeverhard@state.pa.us, or faxed to (717) 787-5247.

Written testimony also can be mailed to: State Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 3633, Harrisburg, PA, 17105-3633. All written testimony must be received by Sept. 23.

The 15-member STC includes the transportation secretary, 10 appointed private citizens and the majority and minority chairmen of the state Senate and House Transportation Committees. For more information, visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on the hyperlink “Transportation Program Update.”

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