Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Launches Transit Survey

Posted on August 11, 2020 in Transportation

Distribution of a Public Survey Tool to Inform a Vision for Multimodal Transportation in Southwestern Pennsylvania 

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) has launched an online survey to collect opinions about public transit in the region. This survey is part of the project SmartMoves Connections: A Regional Vision for Public Transit, which is planning for future Multimodal Hubs and Multimodal Corridors.

The survey is primarily map-based and includes a process that will guide the survey taker through a series of questions that correspond with choices and locations shown on the map. SPC worked with the Pittsburgh-based firm, CivicMapper, to create the brief survey, which includes questions about mobility choices and priorities.

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Tour showcases county’s economic development

Posted on August 10, 2020 in Planning & Development, Transportation

Through a multiple-stop tour Friday, Butler County officials welcomed Vincent Valdes, the new executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

According to a county news release Friday, Butler County officials, including the county commissioners, ushered Valdes and U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, through stops including construction work improving the Route 228 corridor and the UPMC Sports Complex, the Pittsburgh Penguins practice site, in Cranberry Township.

“We’re in such an expansion mode,” said Kelly about the growth of the county.

Mark Gordon, Butler County chief of economic development and planning, said the tour was to welcome Valdes to the region and showcase the county’s economic development.

“We wanted to show the diversity of the county,” Gordon said.

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Greensburg plans 5 Star Trail renovations

Posted on August 5, 2020 in Transportation

Greensburg is planning a $389,000 project to improve the Five Star Trail, making the popular running and biking destination more accessible to city residents.

“We’re basically trying to improve the connections between the neighborhoods that are adjacent to the Five Star Trail,” said Jeff Richards, Westmoreland County parks planning coordinator and vice president of the Five Star Trail chapter of the Regional Trail Corporation.

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Port Authority of Allegheny County Launches ‘NEXTransit’ Plan

Posted on July 23, 2020 in Planning & Development, Public Comment, Transportation

NEXTransit is a community-driven long-range plan for a transit-oriented Pittsburgh area that values equity, accessibility, economic and social mobility, safety, resiliency, and accountability.

Through this planning process, there is the opportunity and the responsibility to engage with communities in an equitable and meaningful way, lead the region on sustainability, and improve on the metrics transit riders value most.

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William Kovach Named District Executive for PennDOT Engineering District 12

Posted on July 8, 2020 in Transportation

Uniontown, PA – William L. Kovach, P.E., has been appointed the District Executive for District 12, which covers Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

William (Bill) Kovach’s career began with the Department of Transportation in 1986 as a Civil Engineer 2 in District 12-0. He was promoted to Senior Civil Engineer in 1988. Bill became the acting Structure Control Engineer in 1997 and an Assistant Construction Engineer in 1998. In 2005, he became the Construction Support Services Engineer and then the Maintenance Support Services Engineer the same year. In addition to his years at PennDOT, Bill worked in private industry giving him over 38 years of experience in transportation.

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‘COVID-19’s Impacts on Commuting’ Survey

Posted on June 16, 2020 in Transportation

As worksites across the country begin to reopen, we know that many commuters may be rethinking how they will get to their worksites and have valid concerns about the health and safety of various transportation modes.

Survey answers will be collected with others from across the country to help employers, transportation providers, and policymakers plan for how best to ensure your commute to work is safe and reliable no matter the mode you choose. This Survey is being conducted by the Association for Commuter Transportation.

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Virtual meetings set to review Southwestern Pa.’s proposed 2021-24 transportation projects

Posted on May 27, 2020 in Transportation

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).

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SPC holds hearing on funding

Posted on May 21, 2020 in Transportation

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.

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Public Comment: Draft 2021-2024 TIP

Posted on May 11, 2020 in Public Comment, Transportation

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
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Final Draft TDM Action Plan Released

Posted on March 10, 2020 in Transportation

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) has developed a regional Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Strategic Action Plan. TDM involves encouraging use of transit, ridesharing, bicycling, walking, telework; shifting travel times; or avoiding unnecessary trips. This planning initiative facilitates collaboration among:

  • The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)
  • Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
  • Pennsylvania Division Office of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
  • Other TDM stakeholders in Southwestern Pennsylvania to create a regional transportation demand management planning framework
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