Year: 2021

As of Monday June 28^th, the 2021 SPC Transportation Alternatives Funding Program is open to qualified applicants. The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Program provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities; infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility; environmental mitigation; recreational trail program projects; and, safe routes to school projects. The SPC region receives a yearly sub-allocation of approximately $1.8 million to award to eligible projects.

Prospective project sponsors should submit a short pre-application by August 16, 2021. The full application will be due on October 15, 2021. The SPC TA program pre-application, application, and program guidance (which includes submission instructions) is available on the SPC website at https://www.spcregion.org/funding-programs/ . The site also includes a link to the concurrent but separate PennDOT administered statewide TA program. Any questions can be directed to Lillian Gabreski at lgabreski@spcregion.org.

On Friday June 4th at 9am SPC will host the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee for a public hearing on reforms and investments to advance transportation innovations in Pennsylvania. In person attendance limited to media only but all others can attend virtually:

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/Index.cfm?CteeBody=S&Code=19

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission during their April 26th board meeting unanimously approved the Draft 2021 Public Participation Plan which is an update to the 2015 Public Participation Plan. The approved 2021 Public Participation Plan provides an outline of the tools and techniques we use to inform and engage the public throughout our transportation planning and programming processes.

Follow the link below to view the update plan:

DCED’s Multimodal Transportation Fund application period is open and projects may be submitted up until July 31, 2021. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.

For more information visit: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/multimodal-transportation-fund

The U.S. Census Bureau has released the latest county-level population data. These population estimates, plus the components of population change, are updated annually for all U.S. counties.

Our Data Team has created a helpful infographic with this data, highlighting the 2019-2020 change in total population, plus natural increase and net migration, for the US, Pennsylvania, and member counties in the SPC region.