Dozens of PA Communities to Get Infrastructure Upgrades Thanks to PennDOT

“Investing in and improving our infrastructure is a commonsense way to spur economic development, create jobs, and help Pennsylvanians reach their destinations safely and efficiently,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office on Monday announced that his administration will help fund 58 infrastructure projects in 37 counties using $46.9 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Multimodal Transportation Fund. 

The projects include improvements to highways, bridges, airports and bike and pedestrian projects. Funding for these projects was freed up during the budget process when the governor’s budget reduced the Pennsylvania State Police’s reliance on the Motor License Fund. The move makes available up to $125 million annually over the next four years.  

“Whether we’re making roadways more accessible to all modes of travel or creating new connections for businesses investing in our communities, transportation is integral to our quality of life,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These projects will bring long-lasting improvements across the state.”

According to the governor’s office, $940,000 will go to reconfiguring existing roadways at the Lehigh Valley International Airport. The project will improve safety at the airport’s Multimodal Transportation Center and the airport terminal. 

Shapiro visited the Lehigh Valley Airport last month with Department of Transportion Secretary Pete Buttigeig and Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-Lehigh). They celebrated the opening of four new security checkpoints and a connector that will make it easier for passengers to travel through the airport.  

The terminal expansion cost over $35 million and was funded with state and federal dollars. The commonwealth invested $13 million into the project and another $5 million came from President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law. 

Over $4 million from this round of funding will go to the city of Philadelphia for various projects; $608,000 will go toward improving bicycle, pedestrian and transit infrastructure at the Woodland Avenue Trolley Portal. 

Another $400,000 will go to the Schuylkill River Development Corporation to extend the Schuylkill Banks trail by 3,400 feet between 61st Street and Passyunk Avenue. The planned trail runs along the banks of the Schuylkill River and spans five counties. 

The Fairhill part of North Philadelphia will receive $3 million to upgrade a Slow Zone, which is part of Philadelphia’s Vision Zero program to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety. According to the city, the Slow Zone includes reduced speed limits of 20 MPH, over 20 speed cushions and improved intersections.  

“Infrastructure is the backbone of Pennsylvania, and our Commonwealth’s progress has often been tied to our ability to complete major projects that spur economic growth and create real opportunity,” Shapiro said in a statement. 

“Investing in and improving our infrastructure is a commonsense way to spur economic development, create jobs, and help Pennsylvanians reach their destinations safely and efficiently.”