Gov. Tom Wolf and PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards Tuesday announced fifty-one bike, pedestrian and other alternative transportation improvement projects across the state.

“These projects are important initiatives that enhance communities across Pennsylvania to create stronger economies and better infrastructure,” Gov. Wolf said. “Making these improvements will enhance pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, preserve historic transportation structures, provide environmental mitigation, create trails that serve a transportation purpose, and promote safety and mobility.”

Some examples of projects include:

-- Sidewalk improvements in Somerset Borough’s historic “Uptown District”;

-- Creation of a pedestrian and bicycle trail under Route 263 in Warwick Township, Bucks County;

-- Improvements for pedestrians and transit riders along Beaver Drive in DuBois, Clearfield County;

-- Pedestrian improvements at Keystone College in Lackawanna County and Kings College in Luzerne County; and

-- Enhancements to the City of Chester’s Central Business District in Delaware County.

“Supporting transportation alternatives in our communities is vital to a transportation system that works for all Pennsylvanians,” Richards said. “These investments complement our state multimodal funding to ensure we’re making connections that improve citizens’ quality of life no matter how they travel.”

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, the 2012 federal transportation authorization act known as MAP-21, introduced fundamental changes to the administration of local programs, including those that had existed as separate programs in SAFETEA-LU, the previous authorization act.

Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, Scenic Byways and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) are now consolidated into the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).

A complete list of projects is available online.

NewsClips:

Cyclists In Philly Region Get Big Boost With State Grants

PennDOT Gives 13 Bike, Pedestrian Project Grants In Greater Philadelphia

Keystone College Receives Grant For Bike, Pedestrian Trails

Sharing Road With Cyclists Can Be A Challenge

[Posted Jan. 10, 2017]

1/16/2017