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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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 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

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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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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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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Last month, SPC Transportation Planner Leann Chaney presented “Planning for Active Transportation in Southwestern Pennsylvania”.

The webinar provided an overview of SPC’s recently adopted active transportation plan and companion, web-based toolkit known as the Active Transportation Resource Center. The Active Transportation Resource Center is a central clearinghouse for the latest information on active transportation. Resources include information on programs that support biking and walking, potential funding opportunities, design guidelines, and more.

“Planning for Active Transportation in Southwestern Pennsylvania” was the first webinar in the Penn State Extension Winter/Spring 2020 Land-Use Webinar Series that runs through May. The series informs municipal elected and appointed officials, planners, landowners, farmers, and community organizations about land-use issues and decisions in their communities.

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The 2019 Annual Report encompasses SPC’s accomplishments throughout the year and provides insight into our many programs, departments, and services. Download a copy of the full report and be sure to watch the 2019 Annual Report highlight video on our YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and click the ‘bell’ icon to stay notified when new content is published!

As the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Southwestern Pennsylvania, SPC, in collaboration with its member planning partners, will direct the use of billions in state and federal transportation funding through 2045. Adopted in June 2019, the long range plan – SmartMoves for a Changing Region – provides a robust policy framework that envisions a world-class, safe and well maintained, integrated transportation system that provides mobility for all, enables resilient communities and supports a globally competitive economy.

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The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) initiated this planning study to explore existing multimodal transportation needs, future trends, and potential improvement strategies along the State Route (SR) 885 and Second Avenue corridor in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County. Specifically, the study corridor spans Second Avenue from the 10th Street Bridge in the Bluff neighborhood, south through South Oakland, Greenfield, and Hazelwood, to a southern terminus at its intersection with SR 837 in Hays. The overall study corridor spans approximately five miles and includes connections to Oakland via SR 885/Bates Street between Second Avenue and the Boulevard of the Allies.

View the full report (PDF 11.4MB)

Learn more at post-gazette.com.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has started the phaseout of a downtown Indiana traffic signal.

District 10 officials in White Township said that the traffic signal at Philadelphia and 11th streets will begin operating on flash mode on Monday at 10 a.m.

A spokeswoman said the signal will flash yellow on Philadelphia Street and red on 11th Street, while stop signs will be placed on the 11th Street approaches.

A flashing yellow light means caution, while a flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign.

PennDOT said it will study and monitor the intersection during the flashing operation, in preparation for the removal of the traffic signal in the spring as part of the Philadelphia Street Bridge Replacement Project.

It is a planned $3.9 million replacement of two bridges or culverts, one of which carries Philadelphia Street over Whites Run. The other carries Philadelphia Street, where it is part of state Route 286, over Marsh Run.

Read the full story at indianagazette.com

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