Virtual public meetings are planned to allow citizens to learn about and comment on transportation improvements proposed in Southwestern Pennsylvania through 2024.

Since large gatherings are on hold during the covid-19 pandemic, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission will instead livestream public input sessions on the draft 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

A session is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday , concerning highway, bridge and transit system improvements proposed in PennDOT District 12 (Westmoreland, Fayette, Green and Washington counties).

A similar meeting will be livestreamed at 6 p.m. June 2 for projects planned in PennDOT District 11 (City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties).

That website includes a summary of the TIP and a link for commenting on the transportation plans. Comments also may be submitted through 4 p.m. June 12 via email, at comments@spcregion.org, or by mail, sent to SPC Comments at Two Chatham Center, Suite 500, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

The draft 2021-2024 TIP proposes more than $5.6 billion in funding for improvements in the region over the four years, including PennDOT District 10 (Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties).

Read the full article at TRIB Live.

We’ve updated the SPC Regional Data Center “Visualize: SPC Tableau” with the Census Bureau 2010-2019 Total Population Estimates by Municipality in the SPC Region. The dashboard can display a variety of indicators and data comparisons by municipality, county, and region, based on user selections.

Indiana and nine other counties in the greater Pittsburgh region are seeking to figure out how to best spend federal and state funds meant for a wide range of transit and transportation projects.

The newest Transportation Improvement Plan for the region (from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2024) will include more money for interstate projects and less for local projects.

“It is disappointing that the funding that we all need to advance our projects isn’t there,” said Byron Stauffer Jr., executive director of the Indiana County Office of Planning and Development, during a 48-minute virtual public meeting of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

What SPC Director of Transportation Planning Andy Waple called “SmartMoves for a Changing Region” is part of what overall is a $22.7 billion plan for the next 25 years, including $5.6 billion over the next four federal fiscal years, which begin in October and end in September.

Read the full article at indianagazette.com

SPC wants to know what you
think about transportation projects in the region that will advance over the
next four years.

We are seeking input from the public on the following important
draft documents:

• Draft 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which identifies the region’s priority roadway, transit  and multimodal transportation improvements programmed for advancement over the next four years
• Environmental Justice Benefits and Burdens Assessment of the Draft 2021-2024  TIP
• Air Quality Conformity Determination for the Draft 2021-2024 TIP
• Amendment to the region’s transportation plan SmartMoves for a Changing Region  to reflect updated revenue projections and a revised project list including  project phasing and cost information included in Draft 2021-2024 TIP

Three virtual public meetings will be held that will provide an overview of the draft documents, updates on project advancement, and opportunities for the public to ask questions and submit comments.

Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Wolf’s Stay-At-Home orders, SPC is unable hold in-person public meetings at this time. Virtual public meetings and other online public participation opportunities will be provided for interested parties to review and comment on draft documents. SPC will provide paper copies of materials upon request.