Category: Transportation

Area transportation leaders are inviting the public to share their thoughts on transportation conditions along a 3-mile section of the US 522 corridor, stretching from Bridge Street in Selinsgrove to the Pawling Station Business Park in Penn Township.

“The US 522 Corridor Improvement Study will establish a framework that addresses transportation challenges faced by our local communities and regional travelers,” said Steve Herman, Transportation Planning Program Interim Director at SEDA-COG. “It aims to identify both short- and long-term strategies that will enhance safety and mobility for all who use the corridor.”

The study was initiated by SEDA-COG in response to concerns expressed by Snyder County, Penn Township, and Selinsgrove Borough, citing the route’s crash history and high traffic volumes. The study will evaluate traffic operations and safety for all modes as well as land use and economic development impacts. The resulting action plan will include recommendations that may include further planning efforts at the regional and local level, coordination with stakeholders, and operational or physical improvements in areas of concern.

“The need for the study is further justified by the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) project currently under construction,” said Bob Garrett, President and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. “US 522 is one of the corridors that is likely to experience an increase in traffic volumes and development potential. The timing of this study is opportune, as it will help us take some of the next steps needed to proactively address existing transportation issues that may be worsened when CSVT completely opens to traffic in 2027.”

Area stakeholders and the public are invited to learn about the study and provide their input at an upcoming public open house event on March 22. The agenda will include a brief overview of the study process and a presentation of initial findings. Participants will have the opportunity to share their transportation concerns and desires for the corridor.

“Hearing directly from the public about their transportation concerns on US 522 will give us a clear understanding of areas along the corridor that need further evaluation or improvement,” said Herman. ”The feedback we hear during the meeting will inform the next phases of the study process and help shape the action plan.”

The public meeting will take place on March 22 at 5:00pm at the Penn Township Municipal Building, at 228 Clifford Road, Selinsgrove.

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

For more information, please contact Elaine Stauder, communications coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7249 or estauder@seda-cog.org.

The SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) adopted in late June one of its major transportation plans for an eight-county region that includes Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties.

The adoption of the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) signals the successful completion of a year-long effort that engaged county officials, municipalities, transit operators, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, other key stakeholders, and the public.

The TIP is the agreed-upon list of priority projects in the SEDA-COG MPO region. The program has a total of 229 projects to be addressed over the next four years.

“Despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic and constrained funding, this is a key update for the region because we continue to collaboratively advance and invest in the region’s transportation network,” said Jim Saylor, SEDA-COG Transportation Program director.

TIP projects are valued at $376 million over the next four years. State funding will cover 71% of the Transportation Improvement Program project costs, local funding match is less than 1%, while the federal funding level is at 28%.

Some of the major projects on the TIP include:

• • · The Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) project.
  • · Traffic signal improvements are planned for Route 150 in Clinton County and corridor-wide safety improvements are planned for Route 54 in Montour County.
  • · Repaving is planned for portions of Farrandsville Road in Clinton County, Routes 11 and 339 in Columbia County, Route 522 and Electric Avenue in Mifflin County, Interstate 80 in Montour County, and Route 54 in Northumberland County.
  • · Rehabilitation or replacement of many deficient state and local bridges across the region.

The TIP includes 23 local bridges ─ one in Snyder County, two in Mifflin County, three in Clinton and Montour counties, four in Columbia and Northumberland counties, and six in Union County. Additional new local bridge projects may be addressed through the TIP in the future, using cost savings or special initiatives.

The TIP also includes transit projects worth $3.2 million for Call A Ride Service Inc. in Mifflin and Juniata counties and Geisinger Health System for the LIFE Geisinger Program.

Below, Table 1 shows a funding summary for the SEDA-COG MPO region by county and transit operator for each of the four TIP years, listed by federal fiscal year.

The 2021 TIP will take effect on Oct. 1, 2020; the next comprehensive TIP update will occur in 2022.

The final adopted version of the TIP is on SEDA-COG’s website at https://bit.ly/3ffqAAI.