Impact of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding in Northeast Region’s 2022 Construction Season

The Wolf Administration today joined Sen. Bob Casey and local officials to highlight the 32 projects that will be bid in 2022 in the six-county region and discussed the benefits coming to regional roads and bridges due to the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is bringing benefits to every corner of Pennsylvania, and we are quickly delivering on its promises,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “While these improvements occur, I urge the public to drive safely in work zones so you and roadway workers can get home each day.”

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Acting Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Mike Keiser said, “We have no shortage of needs, and we have many meaningful projects that will modernize our infrastructure while creating sustainable, good-paying jobs that will be transformative for our transportation system and our local economies.”

The event was held near Route 6 (Robert P. Casey Highway) which will see a 15-mile, $30 million concrete pavement and bridge preservation project in Lackawanna County starting this year.

“Thanks to the infrastructure law, we are beginning to rebuild our roads, bridges and more vital infrastructure right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Senator Casey said. “The Casey Highway project and others throughout our region will create good-paying jobs, make it safer and easier for people to get around and jumpstart the most significant improvements to our infrastructure in a generation.” 

Overall highlights in the PennDOT Engineering District 4 region – which includes Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties – include nearly 245 miles of paving and repairing or replacing 88 bridges.

These improvements include projects supported and accelerated by the BIL. In 2022 alone the BIL is bringing at least $49.6 million in additional funding to be allocated by the department and its local Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organization (MPO/RPO) partners. For 2022:

  • Lackawanna Luzerne Transportation Study (LLTS) MPO will receive at least $21.8 million more;
  • Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) MPO will receive at least $12.1 million more;
  • Northern Tier RPO will receive at least $13.9 million more; and
  • Wayne County will receive at least $1.8 million more.

“We are looking forward to beginning projects that would not have been possible this year without the additional funding. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be integral to completing much needed projects over the next five years,” said PennDOT District 4 Executive Richard Roman, P.E.

Notable projects that will continue this year include:

  • Extension of Route 424 Hazleton Beltway from the Interstate 81 Exit 141 Interchange to Humbolt Industrial Park, Luzerne County, $16.9 million;
  • I-84 over Lackawanna Railroad, Roaring Brook and Route 435 Bridge Replacement, Roaring Brook, Lackawanna County, $113.2 million;
  • I-84 eastbound and westbound resurfacing and bridge preservations consisting of 32 miles in Lackawanna and Wayne counties, $36.5 million;
  • Preventive maintenance on eight bridges carrying I-81 near Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, $ 7.8 million;
  • Roadway reconstruction and bridge replacement on I-84 (Fallen Trooper Memorial Highway) from Route 3005 to Exit 26 in Greene, Palmyra, and Sterling townships in Pike and Wayne counties, $104 million;
  • Replacing three structures on Route 706, removing a Route 3037 structure, and intersection improvement on Routes 706 and 267, Susquehanna County, $4.3 million; and
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 92 over tributary to Susquehanna River in Falls Township, Wyoming County, $1.6 million.

Notable projects that started or will begin this year include:

  • Preventive maintenance on Route 309 (North Cross Valley) over Route 2022 (Main Street), Mill Creek and Norfolk Southern Railway, and Route 309 (North Cross Valley) over Wilkes-Barre Boulevard in the City of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, $8.6 million;
  • Group surface improvement on 21.7 miles in various state routes and municipalities in Luzerne County. 
  • I-80 and I-81 concrete pavement repairs in Luzerne County;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 3014 (Dump Hill Road) over Nescopeck Creek in Nescopeck Township, Luzerne County;
  • Preventive maintenance on three structures carrying I-81 in Rice Township, Luzerne County; one structure carrying I-81 in South Abington; and one structure carrying Route 1016 in Blakely and Jessup Borough in Lackawanna County;
  • Resurfacing project group totaling 10 miles on Route 93 (Broad Street) in West Hazleton Borough, and Route 93 (Berwick-Hazleton Highway) in Sugarloaf Township, as well as Route 309 (Church Street and Mountain Boulevard) in the City of Hazleton to Butler Township in Luzerne County;
  • Bridge preservations on Route 29 (South Cross Valley Expressway) over Susquehanna River and railroad and Route 29 (South Cross Valley Expressway) over Route 11 and Ramp 8027 in Hanover and Plymouth townships, Luzerne County;
  • Interstate roadway reconstruction on I-84 (Fallen Trooper Memorial Highway) from milepost 40 to Exit 46 in Pike County, $86.3 million; 
  • Slope repair on Route 2002 (Wilson Hill Road) in Delaware Township, Pike County, $547,000;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 390 (Promised Land Road) over Bridge Creek in Greene Township, Pike County, $2 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 390 (Promised Land Road) over Outlet Fairview Lake in Palmyra Township, Pike County, $862,000;
  • Interstate roadway reconstruction and bridge replacement on I-84 (Fallen Trooper Memorial Highway) from the Palmyra Rest Area to Exit 34 in Palmyra and Blooming Grove townships, Pike County;
  • Slope repair on Route 171 (State Street) between Main Street and Chestnut Street in Oakland Borough, Susquehanna County, $2.1 million;
  • Slope repair on Route 87 between the Sullivan/Wyoming County Line and Bucks Rub Lane in North Branch and Colley townships, Wyoming County, $2.7 million;
  • Bridge replacements on Route 3029 (Forest Lake Road) over East Branch Wyalusing Creek and tributary of Forest Lake Creek, Jessup Township, Susquehanna County, $2.2 million;
  • Safety Improvements on Route 11 (Lackawanna Trail) from the Susquehanna/ Wyoming County Line to Township Road 406 (Squier Cemetery Road) in Lathrop and Lenox townships, Susquehanna County;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 3034 (Mid Valley Road) over Middle Creek in Lake Township, Wayne County, $795,000;
  • Resurfacing 8 miles of Route 6 (Church and Main Streets) from Park Street to Sunrise Avenue in Honesdale Borough and Route 1016 (Callicoon Road) from Route 191 (Hancock Highway) to Route 1020, Damascus Township, Wayne County; and
  • Bridge preservation on Route 191 (Twin Rocks Road) over Butternut Creek in Sterling Township, Wayne County.

As construction projects are underway in the region, the traveling public can anticipate seeing many work zones and are urged to keep in mind their safety and the safety of highway workers. When encountering a work zone, please drive the posted speed limit, turn on your headlights, pay close attention to signs and flaggers and avoid all distractions. In high traffic locations, motorists are encouraged to use both lanes of travel to the merge point and are to take turns merging into the open lane. 

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts. 

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District4.

Information about infrastructure in District 4 including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D4Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at https://www.penndot.pa.gov.

Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Elizabeth Rementer, Governor’s Office, ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov, 717-783-1116

Jessica Ruddy, PennDOT, 570-963-4044 or jeruddy@pa.gov  

Wolf Administration Highlights Benefits of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Officials from the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Environmental Protection (DEP) today highlighted benefits to Pennsylvania from the passage of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), specifically for electric vehicle (EV) and alternative fuel infrastructure.

PennDOT also unveiled its EV Equity Guiding Principles for private industry and other agencies to consider as they plan and deploy EV charging infrastructure. The principles aim to increase accessibility to the infrastructure and maximize benefits for all Pennsylvanians.

“PennDOT and our sibling-agency partners are well positioned to advance our transportation and EV charging networks to meet current and future needs,” said PennDOT Acting Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula. “These investments are a significant opportunity, and we are committed to delivering benefits across the state.”

Signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021, the BIL provides states with $7.5 billion to expand the EV charging network. Over five years, Pennsylvania will have access to $171.5 million in formula funds for EV charging infrastructure and $2.5 billion in discretionary grant funding opportunities for all alternative fueling infrastructure. The funding supports the commonwealth goal of expanding EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) (list) and Interstate lookalikes. Federal AFC criteria was updated this week to require AFC designated ready corridors to have charging stations no more than 1 mile from an Interstate exit or highway intersection (previously 5 miles) and no more than 50 miles apart. The department will review all corridors to align ready and pending corridors with the new criteria.

“DEP is grateful for the federal infrastructure support and excited to partner with PennDOT in expanding charging station locations across the state, as we work to bring the health and environmental benefits of zero emission transportation to all Pennsylvanians,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.  

Formula funds will flow through PennDOT and will be primarily focused on developing electric charging infrastructure on AFCs, taking miles from pending to ready status. From PennDOT’s most recent update, there are currently 1,051 Interstate miles pending and 692 Interstate miles in ready status, under the previous designation criteria. Should PennDOT determine, and U.S. DOT certifies, that the AFCs are fully built out, then Pennsylvania may use funds to build EV charging equipment on any public road or in any publicly accessible location, including but not limited to parking facilities at public buildings, public schools, and parks.

The new discretionary grant program will allow Pennsylvania’s eligible entities like municipalities, school districts, planning organizations and more to apply for funds to support local communities in installing, operating, and maintaining EV charging equipment. Grant funds will also be available for electrifying school bus fleets and EV battery manufacturing and recycling programs.

PennDOT and DEP – following guidance issued from U.S. DOT – will collaborate with key stakeholders such as network companies, planning partners, and businesses on EV charging development. The newly announced equity principles will help the department evaluate EV proposals in accordance with the federal guidance and fall into five categories:

  • Make EVs more affordable;
  • Make EV charging more accessible;
  • Invest in fleet electrification;
  • Invest in traditionally underserved, low-income, persons of color and otherwise vulnerable population areas; and
  • Increase EV awareness, education, and technical capacity.

The commonwealth’s previous work and the new funding will support growing EV usage and industry transitions. There are more than 23,000 EVs registered in Pennsylvania, more than double the roughly 9,700 that were registered in March 2019. To enhance traveler information for the growing number of EV drivers, the state’s traveler information system – 511PA – now also includes EV charging station locations as an option on its traffic map. Using data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the map shows locations across the state by connector type, including CCS, J1772, CHAdeMO, Tesla, and NEMA.

More information on PennDOT’s Alternative Fuel Corridors can be found on the department’s website. 

More information on Electric Vehicles in PA, including details on the DEP Alternative Fuel Rebate that provides higher rebates on the purchase of new or used EVs to income-eligible Pennsylvanians, can be found on DEP’s website.

Wolf Administration Highlights Transportation Benefits of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Pennsylvania Bridges

At Columbia River Park along the Susquehanna River today, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Acting Deputy Secretary Mike Keiser, Acting District 8 Executive Chris Kufro, Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Recreation and Conservation Manager Lori Yeich, and local and regional officials highlighted benefits to Pennsylvania from the passage of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), specifically for Pennsylvania’s bridges.

“The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the largest federal infrastructure investment in decades, and the largest ever investment for bridges specifically,” said Acting Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Mike Keiser. “PennDOT – along with our partners – are ready to put these dollars to good use in meaningful projects all over the state.”

Pennsylvania is poised to receive an estimated $4 billion in new federal highway and bridge dollars over five years, including an estimated $1.6 billion from a new bridge program established by the BIL.

Pennsylvania has one of the largest state-maintained highway and bridge networks in the nation, with nearly 40,000 miles of roadway and over 25,400 bridges maintained by PennDOT. That number grows to approximately 120,000 miles of roadway and 32,000 bridges when considering the state and local networks.

Today’s event was held in the shadow of the historic Veterans Memorial Bridge, which carries Route 462 and BicyclePA Route S over the Susquehanna River between Columbia, Lancaster County, and Wrightsville, York County. The bridge was originally built in 1930, and is slated for significant rehabilitation in 2023. Additionally, there are parks on both the Columbia and Wrightsville sides of the bridge, and multimodal connections and improvements are also planned in coordination with DCNR and local partners.

“One of the many benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the impact it will have on multimodal projects that connect people to parks and trails, as this rehabilitation project demonstrates,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “We have seen millions of people turn to the outdoors during the pandemic, which is why we are pleased to see federal investments in projects that will help retain those new users.”

In addition to the new highway and bridge funds, Pennsylvanians will benefit from new federal funds to support public transportation, airports, and freight and passenger rail. PennDOT and local governments can look forward to new and expanded competitive grant opportunities across all transportation modes. Additionally, new federal funds will be available to Pennsylvania to support the expansion of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

For additional information about PennDOT’s work to keep Pennsylvanians connected to opportunity and each other, visit PennDOT’s website. Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Wolf Administration Wraps Up 2021 Construction Season in Northeastern PA

As 2021 nears its end, PennDOT Engineering District 4 is wrapping up another busy construction season in northeastern Pennsylvania.

“The 2021 construction season presented us with some unexpected challenges, including two major tropical storms that created additional projects in all six counties,” said PennDOT District 4 Executive Richard Roman, P.E. “Our design, construction and maintenance teams came together to find innovative solutions, complete most projects ahead of schedule, and kept the importance of safety for the traveling public and our employees at the forefront at all times.”

The six-county district, which includes Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties opened bids for 68 contracts totaling nearly $197 million in value. Of those contracts, 48 were for roadway work and 20 were for bridge work.

Work was performed on 55 state-owned bridges by contractors. This included the replacement or rehabilitation of 47 bridges and preservation work on eight bridges to extend their life. Work was performed on 279 state-owned bridges PennDOT crews. The district has been able to stretch limited resources by using in-house capabilities to complete work.

More than 205 miles of paving and 561 miles of seal coating (oil and chip) were completed by contractors and PennDOT crews in the district in 2021.

In addition to programmed work, the district responded to challenges following the flooding and above-average precipitation that has impacted northeastern Pennsylvania in 2021. Flood damage for most sites occurs during the event itself, but in some cases embankment failures or landslides occur several months or even years later. While repairs for most of the damaged areas are complete or are currently under repair, the long-term impacts from the flooding will be felt for many years.

Below is a list by county of the major projects that were under construction in the district in 2021. Some of the largest are multi-year projects that started prior to 2021.

Lackawanna County:

  • Interstate 84 over Lackawanna Railroad, Roaring Brook and Route 435, Dunmore Borough, bridge replacement and interchange reconfiguration. Construction will continue through 2026. $113.2 million;
  • I-84, Roaring Brook Township, resurfacing of I-84 eastbound and westbound and bridge rehabilitation. Construction will continue through 2023. $18.9 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 407 over Lackawanna Lake, North Abington Township. Construction will continue through 2022. $1.9 million;
  • Bridge preservation, various routes and municipalities. Construction will continue through 2022. $5.6 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 6006 over Racket Brook, City of Carbondale. Construction will be completed in 2021. $796,000;
  • Emergency bridge repair on Route 690 over Bear Brook, Moscow Borough. Completed in 2021. $92,000;
  • Resurfacing 12 roadway miles, various routes and municipalities. Construction will continue through 2022. $4.8 million;
  • Route 1037, Dickson City Borough, Dundaff Street Flood Repairs. Construction was completed in 2021. $473,000;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 4005 over D&H Railroad, Benton Township. Construction will continue through 2022. $2.4 million;
  • Milling and resurfacing on I-84 and ramps in Lackawanna and Wayne counties. Construction will be completed in 2022. $17.5 million;
  • Guiderail project on I-80 and I -81 mile marker 143 to 160 complete in 2021.  Planned for 2022 is mile marker 160 to 232 on I-81 and I-84. I-80 work is planned for 2023. $15.9 million;
  • Keystone College Community Gateway Project. Completed in 2021.  $826,000; and
  • Paving on Route 1010 and Route 3018. Construction completed in 2021.  ADA ramps have also been started on other state routes.  Final paving in 2022 on Routes 247, 2026, 2028, 3033 and 6011. Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.2 million.


Luzerne County:

  • Culvert replacement on Route 239 in Huntington Township. Construction completed in the summer of 2021. $420,000;
  • Culvert replacement on Route 118 in Lehman Township. Construction will be completed in 2021. $1.1 million;
  • Culvert conversion on Route 315 in the Borough of Laflin. Construction will be completed in 2021. $140,000;
  • Multiple bridge preservations on Route 309 in Kingston, Hanover, and Foster townships, Bridges in the project were Route 309 Section P15 over Toby Creek, Route 309 Section P16 over Toby Creek, Route 309 Section P14 over Pine Run, and Route 2044 Section P18 over Pond Creek. Construction will be completed in 2021. $1.3 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 2010 over Route 29 in Hanover Township. Completed in 2021. $4.2 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 11 over Norfolk Southern, Reading, Northern, and Blue Mountain Railroad, and Mill Creek in the Borough of Dupont. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.9 million;
  • Roadway extension on Route 424 in Hazle Township. Construction will be completed in 2024. $17 million;
  • Surface treatment project in various municipalities and including Route 18, Route 1013, Route 1015, Route 1029, Route 2025, Route 2027, Route 2028, Route 2020, Route 2035, and Route 3030. Construction will be completed in 2022. $6.5 million;
  • Resurfacing project in various municipalities and including Route 315, Route 1014, Route 1019, Route 2013, Route 2022, and Route 3021. Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.7 million;
  • Safety improvement project on Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.3 million;
  • Resurfacing on Route 315 in the Borough of Laflin, Plains Township, and Jenkins Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.9 million;
  • Resurfacing in various municipalities on Routes 11, 2019, 309, 92, and 2045. Construction will be completed in 2022. $9.3 million;
  • Bridge preservation on I-81 in Hanover Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, and the Borough of Ashley. Construction will be completed in 2023. $7.3 million;
  • Route 2036 in Bear Creek Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Henri. Construction was completed in October 2021. $369,000;
  • Route 2039 in Plains Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction was completed in October 2021. $194,856;
  • Route 239 in Nescopeck Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction was completed in October 2021. $55,000;
  • Route 2035 in Bear Creek Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction was completed in October 2021. $246,147;
  • Route 2020 in the City of Wilkes-Barre, Bridge Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction will be completed in 2022. $415,510;
  • Route 2036 in Bear Creek Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction will be completed by the end of 2021. $448,003; and
  • Route 437 in Wright Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction will be completed in the spring of 2022. $213,670.40.

Pike County

  • Culvert rehabilitation on Route 507 in Palmyra Township. Construction will be completed in 2021. $843,062;
  • Milford-Bushkill roadway reconstruction including realignment and shoulder/lane widening on Route 2021 in Lehman Township. Construction will be completed in 2021. $30 million;
  • Reconstruction, resurfacing and rehabilitation and culvert conversion on Route 6 between Boroughs of Milford and Matamoras. Construction will be completed in 2021. $5.1 million;
  • Slope repair on Route 2002 in Delaware Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $547,000;
  • High friction surface treatment safety improvements on Route 6, Route 507 and Route 2021. Construction will be completed in 2021. $397,000;
  • Resurfacing on Route 590 in Blooming Grove Township. Construction will be completed in 2021. $926,000;
  • Cleaning and washing various bridge structures located within PennDOT District 4. Project will be completed in 2021. $623,000;
  • Paving on Route 739 in Delaware Township. Construction will be completed in 2021. $2 million;
  • Route 6 in Lackawaxen Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction completed in 2021. $69,426;
  • Route 1012 and Route 1014, Shohola Township and Lackawaxen Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Projects from Hurricane Ida. Construction completed in 2021. $149,000; and
  • Route 2009 in Dingman Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction will be completed in 2021. $23,000.

Susquehanna County

  • Lanesboro Streetscape Project. Completed in September 2021. $620,000;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 11, Route 29 and Route 1011. Completed in July 2021.  $3 million;
  • Rehabilitation of Route 11 bridge over railroad in Great Bend and emergency deck repair on Route 4008. Completed in September 2021. $820,000;
  • I-81 in Great Bend to New Milford from mile marker 223 to 232. Construction will be completed in 2021. $3.5 million;
  • Local bridge replacement on Carmalt Road in Choconut Township. Construction will be completed in 2021. $1.1 million;
  • Replacement of three box culverts and intersection realignment at Route 267/Route 706 intersection in Rush Township. Realignment completed in September 2021. Box culverts will be replaced in 2022. Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.3 million;
  • Bridge replacement with box culvert on Route 1033 in Great Bend. Construction will be completed in 2021. $1 million;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 1010 in Oakland Township. Construction will be completed in 2021. $1.9 million;
  • Emergency slide repair on Route 11 in Great Bend. Completed in March 2021. 280,000;
  • Bridge replacements on Route 3029 in Jessup Township. Construction will be completed in 2023. $2.1 million;
  • Base repair on multiple state routes in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties. Construction will be completed in 2022. $3.6 million;
  • Base repair on multiple state routes in Susquehanna, Wyoming and Pike counties. Work in Susquehanna County planned to begin in 2021, with Wyoming and Pike in 2022. Construction will be completed in 2022. $2.1 million;
  • Slide repair on Route 1009 in Harmony Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $585,000; and
  • Paving on Routes 11, 858 and 1031 in Susquehanna County and Route 87 in Wyoming County. Construction will be completed in September 2022. $4 million.

Wayne County

  • Surface treatment on Route 6, Route 196 and Route 296 in Wayne County and Route 92 in Wyoming County. Construction will be completed in 2021. $2.3 million;
  • Pavement base repairs on Route 191, Route 247, Route 371, Route 652, Route 670, Route 11, Route 1014, Route 3028, Route 2048, Route 2049, Route 4021, Route 4023, Route 4025 and Route 4031 in various municipalities in Wayne County. Construction will be completed in 2021. $2.4 million;
  • Bridge preservation on Route 507 in Dreher Township, SR 4003 in Dyberry Township and SR 3003 in Eaton Township, Wyoming County. Construction will be completed in 2022. $915,000;
  • Resurfacing on Route 191 in various municipalities. Project was completed in 2021.  $4.5 million;
  • Paving on SR 6, SR 652 and SR 4005 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.4 million;
  • Route 3017 in Salem Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project. Construction will be completed in 2022. $208,000;
  • Bridge preservation on I-84, Route 196, Route 670, Route 11 and Route 3028 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2021. $843,000;
  • Resurfacing on Route 11 and Route 2013 in Dyberry Township. Construction will be completed in 2021. $1.5 million; and
  • Pavement Base repair on various SRs in Wayne County. Construction completed 2021. 3.5 million.

Wyoming County

  • Rehabilitation of three structures on Route 1027, Route 292 and Route 2031. Completed in May 2021. $2.4 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 29 and Route 87 over the Susquehanna River and Route 4002. Construction was completed in April 2021. $430,000;
  • Stone laid arch rehabilitation on Route 92 in Falls Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.6 million; and
  • Slide repair on Route 87 at Sullivan County Line. Construction will be completed in 2022. $2.6 million.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.gov/District4. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Information about infrastructure in District 4, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D4Results.

Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Wolf Administration Releases First-Ever Litter Action Plan, Calls for Action Statewide

Governor Tom Wolf, the state secretaries for the departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection, Representative Mike Sturla and City of Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace joined other administration and community stakeholders today to highlight innovative local anti-littering measures and called for action to combat Pennsylvania’s litter-problem at all levels statewide.

The Wolf Administration released the state’s first-ever Litter Action Plan (PDF)–which reflects the work of more than 100 stakeholders from state and local government, businesses, the legislature, and more–and includes both current initiatives and recommendations to clean up the more than 500 million pieces of litter scattered throughout the commonwealth.

“Pennsylvania is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. It’s a beautiful state with stunning landscapes and bountiful natural resources. But, we’ve got a litter problem,” said Gov. Wolf. “Litter is bad for the environment and our communities, it’s a drain on taxpayer dollars. Today I’m excited to unveil a solution that all 13 million Pennsylvanians can be a part of, it’s a blueprint for a cleaner commonwealth.”

Demonstrating the cost of litter to communities and the commonwealth, PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian noted that the agency’s annual $14 million cost to clean up litter makes litter prevention especially important.

“We recognize we need to change behavior, not just clean up the mess,” Gramian said. “With this commonwealth Litter Action Plan, we’ve provided examples, resources, and calls to action so we can make some transformative change here in Pennsylvania.”

DEP has funded “Pick Up Pennsylvania” community litter cleanups and illegal dump site cleanups for over two decades, supporting volunteers in removing many tons of trash from the land and waters. As littering has persisted, DEP sponsored with PennDOT the first comprehensive state study to inform development of the Litter Action Plan, with a focus on changing littering behavior. 

“DEP is committed to helping drive a statewide shift to litter prevention,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “If we bring the same energy to litter prevention initiatives that thousands of volunteers have brought to cleaning up litter in their communities, we’ll turn a corner on Pennsylvania’s trash problem. And we’ll gain the community and economic benefits of a healthier environment.”

In addition to examples and suggestions for the General Assembly, local governments, businesses, and the public, the report outlines 16 recommendations for the commonwealth. Examples of actions state agencies are taking to support the higher-level recommendations in the plan include:

  • PennDOT, the Department of Community and Economic Development, and DEP collaboration on an anti-litter campaign anticipated for spring 2022.
  • PennDOT analysis of where and how to ensure it has the right litter-reducing tools in place in its public-facing facilities.
  • DEP work underway on a new rulemaking to provide convenient and affordable access to waste disposal and recycling services in rural areas of Pennsylvania where trash collection and recycling services are currently not economically feasible. 
  • The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is complementing their “Leave No Trace” program with working to update their concessionaire agreements to include language aimed at combatting litter, such as requiring food providers to minimize paper straw and disposable utensil use. And when onsite composting is available at a state park, concessionaires will be required to work with DCNR to convert as many of their food service products to compostable, paper-based forest product alternatives and then compost them with the food waste.
  • State Police continuing Operation Clean Sweep, which launched this summer and reinforces a zero-tolerance mindset with litter enforcement, while sharing anti-litter messages year-round. This complements their assistance with enforcing Litter Enforcement Corridors that – under a 2018 law – can be designated by the department and local governments to combat litter.
  • The Department of Education’s review of opportunities to further incorporate anti-litter curriculum into their environmental programming standards.
  • Fish and Boat Commission pilot projects, in coordination with DCNR, to properly dispose of fishing line.

“Lancaster residents and I recognize the importance of beautification in our community,” said Rep. Sturla. “We implement various innovative approaches to accomplish this aim, especially in significant litter reduction. Lancaster will continue to be a shining example of a city that respects and nourishes its environment.”  

The plan’s workgroups included 17 participants from local governments and among the group’s recommendations for local governments is the suggestion to “get creative with public waste infrastructure maintenance.” The plan and media event featured the City of Lancaster’s Tiny Can Project, which installs “tiny cans” (trash receptacles) every few houses on both sides of the street for an entire city block in three target areas. Residents who have a “tiny can” in front of their house will be responsible for emptying the receptacles on trash day and will dispose of it with their regular trash collection.

“Innovative solutions like the Tiny Can project in southeast Lancaster will help us boost community pride and strengthen our neighborhoods, block by block,” Mayor Sorace said. “We thank the Wolf administration for their leadership on this quality-of-life issue and are happy to do our part in tackling this challenge in Lancaster City.”

The event participants discussed the need for statewide action from all levels to address littering as a cost and quality of life issue. The plan’s recommendations for the General Assembly feature several proposed changes to existing laws and three new proposed laws. Recommendations for businesses and the public will be continually shared through the workgroup participants moving forward.

DEP identifies many ways Pennsylvanians can be anti-litter at www.dep.pa.gov/litter.

PennDOT provides litter information and many additional litter cleanup volunteer opportunities, including Adopt-A-Highway, Litter Brigades, and more on its Roadside Beautification page.

Wolf Administration Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Teens on Safe Driving

Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), State Police, Department of Education and local education and law enforcement representatives held a face-to-face forum at Cedar Cliff High School in New Cumberland today, sharing their collective knowledge with students from Cedar Cliff and Red Land high schools to mark Teen Driver Safety Week in Pennsylvania.

“We can all do our part to make highways safer by working together to help new drivers gain valuable experience and knowledge,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Parents and teachers are an integral part of establishing a mentality of safety behind the wheel amongst teen drivers.”

The forum was held to call attention to teen driver safety and share important information directly with teen drivers during the nationwide observance October 17-23. The question-and-answer format gave teens a chance to glean valuable information from knowledgeable sources they may not otherwise interact with. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens.

From 2016 to 2020, there were 82,066 crashes in Pennsylvania involving at least one 16-to-19-year-old driver resulting in 530 fatalities. Of those crashes, 45.6 percent involved the driver driving too fast for conditions (18,635 crashes), driver inexperience (7988), driver distraction (8,574) or improper/careless turning (7,490). A total of 39,399 crashes included one or more of these factors. 

The risk of a crash involving any of these factors can be reduced through practice, limiting the number of passengers riding with a new driver, obeying all rules of the road, and using common sense.

“Parents and caregivers should encourage safe driving behavior long before their teen gets a learner’s permit by consistently modeling good habits behind the wheel,” said Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “Set a positive example by ensuring everyone in the car is buckled up, eliminate distractions in the vehicle, obey the speed limit and remember to drive defensively.”

PennDOT suggests that parents consider the following recommendations to help their children become safe and responsible drivers:

  • Set a good example with your own driving habits.
  • Have regular conversations with your teen about safe driving skills before they get their learner’s permit.
  • Establish a parent/teen driving contract.
  • Ride with your teen occasionally after they receive their license to monitor driving skills.
  • Enforce observance of speed limits and other rules of the road.
  • Strongly encourage your teen to avoid distractions behind the wheel, such as talking or texting on their cell phone.
  • Limit the number of passengers they have in their vehicle.
  • Limit dawn, dusk, and nighttime driving until your teen gains more experience and enforce a curfew. Remember, state law prohibits 16- and 17-year-olds with a junior license from driving between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM
  • Gradually increase the amount of time/distance your teen is permitted to drive.

“Driving a car requires experience, skill, and undivided attention,” said Department of Education Secretary Dr. Noe Ortega. “Driver education training programs are invaluable in preparing teenage drivers to get behind the wheel, keeping themselves, their passengers, and fellow drivers safe on the road.”

As part of ongoing efforts to educate and assist teen drivers, PennDOT invites teens, their parents, teachers, and others to share video messages on Instagram about the personal costs of a crash, close calls, and advice on avoiding crashes. Anyone can join in this important conversation by using the hashtag #PATeenDriver.

Like the Department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at www.instagram.com/PennsylvaniaDOT. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews.

Wolf Administration Continues Combatting Litter, Urges Public to Stop Costly and Unsightly Practice

Continuing the commonwealth’s battle against litter as the summer travel season winds down, Governor Tom Wolf today highlighted agency efforts to clean up and cut down on this unsightly illegal activity.

“Through public education, enforcement, clean ups, and volunteering, the commonwealth is working tirelessly to beautify Pennsylvania,” Governor Wolf said. “We cannot keep our communities clean without the public’s help, and I call on everyone to take personal responsibility for ending this ugly practice.”

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) crews across the state have expanded their routine litter pickup operations and these enhanced cleanups will continue through Labor Day. Cleanups are occurring on higher-traffic roadways where volunteer groups cannot safely pick up litter. Motorists are reminded to slow down, drive with caution, be alert for stopped or slow-moving vehicles, and watch for workers near the roadway, along interchanges and entrance/exit ramps.

PennDOT spends roughly $14 million annually on statewide litter efforts. Department programs such as Adopt-A-Highway and Sponsor-A-Highway allow groups and businesses to volunteer to adopt or pay to sponsor cleanup and beautification on roadways across the state.

“Every dollar we have to spend on litter cleanup is a dollar we cannot invest in our system,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “We are grateful for the work of our crews and volunteers, though what we really need is an end to littering.”

The department also unveiled new anti-littering messages that will appear on its electronic message signs across the state through September 2. Appearing when active travel alerts are not displayed, the messages aim to appeal to travelers’ civic pride and address a finding of a 2019 statewide litter survey – cigarette butts were among the most common items found in the estimated 500 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania roads.

To underscore littering as an illegal practice, this summer the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) initiated Operation Clean Sweep, a project reinforcing a zero-tolerance mindset with litter enforcement and sharing anti-litter messages throughout the year. The operation complements a 2018 state law allowing the designation of Litter Enforcement Corridors.

Litter Enforcement Corridors have a high aesthetic or historic value worth preserving or need some additional help with litter issues. Approved segments will be marked with signs to notify motorists of additional litter fines: doubled penalties for motorists caught scattering rubbish and tripled when it is done by a commercial business.

Local governments can help tackle litter in their communities by designating Litter Enforcement Corridors or working with PennDOT to identify potential state-owned corridors.

“The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to keeping Pennsylvania beautiful by enforcing the state’s litter laws,” said Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the PSP. “Littering is 100 percent preventable with fines beginning at $300. The public is encouraged to report any litter violation they witness by contacting their local law enforcement agency.”

Other state agencies and partners actively work on litter prevention and cleanups year-round and reiterated the harm of litter.

“Most litter along the road isn’t going to decompose in our lifetime. If you saw it today, you’re likely to see it again the next time you pass by, still leaching, breaking into microplastics, creating hazards for people and wildlife, and diminishing our communities and landscape,”  said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “On top of this, litter cleanup is a big cost to state government and local communities, and ultimately all Pennsylvanians. Ending the littering habit will benefit everyone and everything that lives in Pennsylvania.” 

DEP lists many ways Pennsylvanians can reduce litter and be a role model and is working with PennDOT, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, and community leaders statewide on developing a littering prevention campaign based on state research. 

Additionally, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful urges Pennsylvania residents to participate in Pick Up Pennsylvania, in support of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. This annual event – from September 1 through November 30 – is an opportunity to improve neighborhoods and Pennsylvania’s waterways by coordinating or participating in a litter cleanup. Registration is now open.

During this period, registered events can get free trash bags, gloves, and safety vests provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, and the Ocean Conservancy, as supplies last.

“Whether you are cleaning up a local waterway, your local park or the street that you live on – it all makes a difference in reducing the amount of litter reaching our oceans. We are honored to provide the resources and supplies needed to help volunteers improve our communities,” said Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Picking up litter is something we can all do to support our communities. Please lend a hand and join us in a cleanup this fall.”

For more information on how the public can help with anti-littering efforts to keep our state highways clean see PennDOT’s Roadside Beautification webpage. Photos of department-force and volunteer cleanups, informational graphics, and videos from Wolf Administration officials discouraging litter are available in PennDOT’s Litter-Beautification Media Center.

Wolf Administration Previews 2021 Northeast Region Construction Season

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today highlighted more than 64 projects that will take place across District 4 – which includes Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties – during the 2021 construction season.

“With over $650 million in infrastructure investment in the northeast region we anticipate another busy construction season in 2021,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “We urge motorists to use caution in our work zones as we deliver the necessary improvements to our transportation system.”

Overall highlights in the 2021 construction season for District 4 include:

  • approximately 302 miles of paving;
  • approximately 78 bridges will be repaired or replaced; and
  • two slides will be repaired.

“We are excited about the level of active improvements in this region and I appreciate the motorists’ patience as we make these improvements to our highways and bridges,” District 4 Executive Richard Roman said. “I am pleased that the Department is making such a substantial investment in our infrastructure.”

Notable ongoing projects that will continue this year include:

  • Interstate 84 eastbound and westbound resurfacing and bridge preservations included in 32 miles of roadway rehabilitation in Lackawanna and Wayne counties, $36.5 million;
  • I-84 over Lackawanna Railroad, Roaring Brook and Route 435 Bridge Replacement, Roaring Brook, Lackawanna County, $113.2 million;
  • Completion of Interstate paving from Exit 164 South Cross Valley to Luzerne/Lackawanna county line consisting of 37 miles, $17 million;
  • Continuation of $30.5 million roadway reconstruction of Route 2001 in Lehman and Delaware townships, Pike County; and
  • Interstate reconstruction of 14 miles on I-84 eastbound and westbound from the Wayne/Pike county line to Exit 26 Promised Land, $104 million.

Notable projects that are expected to begin this year include:

  • Extension of Route 424 Hazleton Beltway from the I-81 Exit 141 Interchange to Humbolt Industrial Park, Luzerne County, $16.9 million;
  • Resurfacing contract for 13 miles of roadway on Route 315 (Dupont Highway), Route 940 (Foster Avenue, Hazleton Freeland Highway), Route 1014 (Overbrook Avenue), Route 2022 (Main Street), Route 3021 (Old Turnpike Road), Route 1019 (Dennison Street), Route 2013 (Courtright Street), Luzerne County, $4.6 million;
  • Resurfacing contract for 17 miles of roadway on Route 309 (North Cross Valley Expressway), Route 11 (Wyoming Avenue), Route 92 (Exeter Avenue), Route 2045 (South Main Road) and ADA ramp construction on Route 1009 (Market Street), Luzerne County;
  • Safety improvement on two locations on Route 6, two locations on Route 2001 and two locations on Route 507 including placement of high friction surface treatment, Pike County, $400,000;
  • Replacing three structures on Route 706 and improving the intersection of Routes 706 and 267 while removing a structure on Route 3037, Bradford County line to Rush, Susquehanna County, 4.3 million;
  • I-81 northbound and southbound resurfacing from north of Exit 223 New Milford, Susquehanna County, to the New York State Line, 18 miles, $3.5 million;
  • Base repair on approximately 75 miles of roadway including Route 247 (Main Street/White Rock Drive/Creamton Drive), Route 371 (Great Bend Turnpike), Route 670 (Belmont Turnpike South), Route 1014 (Galilee Road), Route 4008 (Niagra Road), Route 4009 (Dug Road), Route 4021 (Pleasant Mountain Drive), Route 4023 (Belmont Turnpike), Route 4025 (Sherwood Drive), Route 4031 (Pleasant View Drive/Cribbs Road), Route 3028 (Owego Turnpike), Route 191 (Hancock Highway), Route 652 (Beach Lake Highway) and Route 1001 (Cliff Street, Carley Brook and Dennis Road), Wayne County, $2.4 million;
  • Resurfacing contract on Route 6 (Roosevelt Highway in Canaan Township and Waymart Borough), Wayne County, Route 652 (Beach Lake Highway) and Route 4005 (Beech Grove Road) consisting of 13 miles; and
  • Bridge rehabilitation of Route 92 over tributary to Susquehanna River in Falls Township, Wyoming County.

As construction projects are underway in the region, the traveling public can anticipate seeing many work zones and are urged to keep in mind their safety and the safety of highway workers. When encountering a work zone, please drive the posted speed limit, turn on your headlights, pay close attention to signs and flaggers and avoid all distractions. In high traffic locations, motorists are encouraged to use both lanes of travel to the merge point and to take turns merging into the open lane. 

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511pa.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

54PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Subscribe to PennDOT news in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties at  www.penndot.gov/District4. 

Information about infrastructure in District 4 including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D4Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Wolf Administration Announces Liquid Fuels Distribution to Municipalities for Local Roads and Bridges

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has committed $452.7 million in liquid fuels payments to help certified municipalities maintain their roads and bridges.

This year’s allocation is approximately 7 percent less than last year’s, due to reduced gas tax revenues as a result of COVID-19.

“We have the fifth-largest state-maintained road system in the country, and there are even more locally owned roads and bridges,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “These critical investments help keep our communities safe and connected.”

PennDOT’s annual distributions assist with municipalities’ highway and bridge-related expenses such as snow removal and road repaving. There are 120,596 miles of public roads in Pennsylvania. There are 73,091 miles owned by municipalities and eligible for liquid fuels. The formula for payments is based on a municipality’s population and miles of locally-owned roads.

Act 89 of 2013 made more funding available for locally owned roadways. Before the law, municipalities received $320.8 million in liquid fuels payments.

To be eligible for liquid fuels, a roadway must be formally adopted as a public street by the municipality, meet certain dimension requirements, and be able to safely accommodate vehicles driving at least 15 mph.

For the complete list of local payments, visit the “Municipal Liquid Fuels Program” page at www.penndot.gov under the “Doing Business” Local Government page.

MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Campbell, alecampbel@pa.gov or 717-783-8800