SPC has developed a series of online mapping tools to assess the regional broadband-related coverage, speeds, resources, gaps and needs in relation to the region’s demographic and socioeconomic conditions. It also examines connectivity and resources in relation to the region’s businesses, and educational and medical facilities.

These tools will be used as a baseline to further build upon SPC’s Strategic Plan of developing a Connectivity Roadmap (SWPA Connected) for the 10-county SWPA region. This future strategic plan will examine the current and true state of the region’s broadband connectivity in relation to the region’s demographic and socioeconomic composition. It will deploy connectivity programs and projects to enable the region’s communities that lack adequate high-speed internet access to be better connected to jobs, education, and health care.

For information on Southwestern Pennsylvania Connected, the mapping tools, and county by county statistical analysis highlighting the Connectivity Indices and broadband connectivity for all 10 Counties in the region visit spcregion.org/connected.

SPC and PennDOT staff are hosting a virtual workshop to assist local sponsors in the SPC region in understanding their roles, responsibilities, and requirements in delivering a transportation project.

If you are considering applying to any programs in the future, this workshop will introduce you to funding programs and the regulatory requirements sponsors must meet to use federal or state transportation funds. This workshop will provide details regarding the SPC Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), both of which have open/upcoming application periods.

SPC’s Virtual Workshop will be held August 19, 2021 at 1:00 P.M

• Resources
  • SPC-Delivery Workshop Flyer
  • SPC-Delivery Workshop Brochure

For more information and how to RSVP visit our Funding Programs page.

With SmartMoves Connections, SPC presents a new approach to regional transit planning—one based on locating the Transit Supportive Land Uses already present in our region. Using a Machine Learning analysis of aerial photography and travel data, SmartMoves Connections maps the clusters of land with multimodal potential. These are put into six categories where Multimodal Hubs and Multimodal Corridors could be good mobility options.

A Multimodal Hub is a facility where mobility services can connect together—such as Park-and-Ride, bike lockers, scooter-share or paratransit—along with public transit service. These Hubs allow seamless connections between the parts of a person’s trip and enable new kinds of trips, even across county borders or on multiple transit services.

Multimodal Corridors improve the speed and reliability of transit service with improvements like Transit Signal Priority, exclusive bus lanes, queue jump turn lanes, protected bike lanes and improved stations. With the SmartMoves Connections Cluster Map, you can see what multimodal improvements would work best for the place you are interested in. To learn more, download the report or view the story map .

For questions about SmartMoves Connections, contact David Totten at dtotten@spcregion.org.

2020 was a challenging year for everyone, and SPC was no exception. But still, In the midst of collective uncertainly, bright spots surfaced. This short video showcases the both the obstacles we faced and the successes that SPC delivered in transportation planning, economic development and small business assistance, GIS, communications and finance. From assisting several small businesses with crucial grants and loans, to developing the TIP virtually, and helping our partners move forward, we delivered.

the countermove – spc 2020 annual report

Please share your views with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Pennsylvania Division and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region III at a public presentation to discuss the transportation planning process in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The public meeting will be held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled Joint Transportation Technical Committee/Transit Operators Meeting.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is the official Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the ten-county region which includes the City of Pittsburgh and the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland. For more information, please visit: https://www.spcregion.org/get-involved/.

Virtual Public Meeting Announcement
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) Meeting
July 15, 2021
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Participation Details:

Join Meeting
Meeting number (access code): 173 405 2113
Meeting password: awMPYUPJ823
Join by phone: 1-844-621-3956 United States Toll Free

Public comments may be shared two ways:

1. Once connected to the virtual meeting, please type your comments into the chat box; or
2. Submit comments via e-mail to Jennifer Crobak at Jennifer.crobak@dot.gov.

If you require assistance or accommodations to participate, please contact Jared Bedekovich at (412) 391-5590, Ext. 343, or jbedekovich@spcregion.org at least 3 days prior to the virtual meeting.

If you are not able to attend the meeting, please address your comments to:

Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvania Division
c/o Jennifer Crobak,
221 Walnut Street, Room 508, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
Jennifer.crobak@dot.gov / 717-221-3440

All comments are due by July 30, 2021.

• Public Notice Documents
  • Public Notice (ES)
  • Public Notice (IT)
  • Public Notice (TC)
  • Public Notice (Indic)

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.

Visit our SPC Regional Data Center landing page to learn more!

Additions and updates to the SPC Regional Data Center are made as new data become available. Data files posted to the Regional Data Center are free for download. Customized data reports are available by request.

#CensusData #PopulationEstimates #SPCRegion