Keystone Today

On April 4, members of the Wolf administration discussed more than 55 projects that are set to begin or continue in six counties, which will repair roads and bridges with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

According to Gov. Tom Wolf’s (D-PA) office, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Annual Transportation Outreach sessions started in Bedford and Fulton Counties on April 4. District 9 makes up Bedford and Fulton Counties, as well as Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon and Somerset, and sessions will be taking place in the remaining four counties within the next several weeks, starting Wednesday, April 6.

“I am pleased to announce the many improvements across our rural communities that will be made this year,” Wolf said, according to the Official Pennsylvania Government Website. “These needed improvements on our rural networks are vital to our economy and our quality of life.”

The projects for the 2022 construction season for District 9 include 150 miles of paving, about 45 bridges being repaired or replaced, 373 miles of roadway seal-coated and $118 million in new construction projects on area roads. This year the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is bringing in more than $21.4 million in additional funding to the region to be used for these projects. The funds are allocated by PennDOT and partners through the Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organization.

This includes $2.7 million to the Blair Planning Commission, $5.9 million to the Cambria County Planning Commission and $12.8 million to the Southern Alleghenies RPO. There are a number of ongoing projects that will continue this year, most notably that $19.4 million is going toward the Interstate 99 Turnpike to Sproul/Claysburg for resurfacing. Another major project is $7.6 million for interchanges resurfacing on U.S. 22 from Munster to Ebensburg.

Projects that are expected to begin this year include: $11 million toward I-70 westbound resurfacing from Amaranth to Bedford, $7.1 million for resurfacing Route 271 from Woodmont Road to Route 3037, rockfall repair on U.S. 219 in Salisbury worth $6.7 million, and $3.6 million toward structure replacements on Route 96 in Bedford County.

Drivers are asked to keep in mind the safety of other drivers, workers and themselves throughout construction. This includes following the speed limit, paying close attention to signage and flaggers, avoiding distractions and turning on headlights. 

For information about the District 9 Transportation Outreach sessions, click on Transportation Outreach 2022.

Information about projects in District 9 can be found at Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.