Category: Transportation

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Steve Herman, an 18-year staffer, is the new director of its Transportation Planning program.

Herman began his career at SEDA-COG in 2002 as an intern, rising through to a position as a GIS Technician, then Transportation Planner, and now the Transportation Planning Program Director. He has led the development of many transportation plans and studies over his career that have resulted in a safer and more efficient transportation system for its eight-county Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) region. He’s helped identify transportation issues and develop solutions that increase mobility, accessibility, and quality of life for SEDA-COG’s residents and visitors.

Throughout Herman’s career, he’s been especially proud to play a part in advancing the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) Project – an over $800 million project that will improve safety, relieve congestion, and accommodate growth in the region – and in preparing the eight-county MPO region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that regularly invests more than $100 million per year for key transportation upgrades. He has provided local governments with technical assistance in preparing funding applications and implementing their proposals, as well as coordinated the PennDOT Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) training and technical assistance offerings for SEDA-COG region municipalities. In addition, Herman has served or been appointed to several statewide work groups and advisory committees that evaluate plans, programs, and trends. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Herman’s major goals as director include sustaining the vital working relationship SEDA-COG has developed with both the public and local governments. “I want to maintain and build on the excellence of our transportation planning program in helping to ensure our region is as safe, strong, and vibrant as it can be. I would like to continue and boost our internal and external collaboration to leverage available resources and support greater implementation of priority plans and projects. I want to engage in multidisciplinary planning and actively listen to the needs and ideas of planners, transportation industry experts, local governments, business leaders, non-profit organizations, and the general public,” Herman said.

SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler said Herman has all the qualities one could look for in a successful leader. “Steve brings with him into this role 20 years of invaluable experience. He has spent his entire career dedicated to making our region a better place to live, work, and travel upon. He has the vision and the initiative to continue to advance our region’s transportation system and options in a way that is both proactive and in response to the growing needs and interests of today’s users. I look forward to working with Steve in this new capacity,” Wheeler said.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and Environmental Planning from Bloomsburg University in 2002. Herman stressed the role that transportation plays in the overall success of the SEDA-COG area.
“Transportation is essential to our region’s economic competitiveness, accessibility to goods and services, and overall quality of life. Our residents must be able to reliably and safely travel to their jobs, medical care, schools, shopping destinations, entertainment venues, recreation amenities, and more. I enjoy being part of the process to make sure our transportation system is well-maintained, that it is cohesive, and that it functions well for all people,” Herman said.

Through SEDA-COG, counties and municipalities in Central Pennsylvania have a voice in the state’s transportation plans. Working together with SEDA-COG, local government, the business community, and non-profit organizations establish the region’s transportation priorities. Those priorities are detailed in the TIP, updated by SEDA-COG every two years and often amended. There are numerous opportunities for public participation in developing the TIP, including its periodic review by SEDA-COG’s MPO. The TIP encompasses the first four years of the Commonwealth’s Twelve-Year Transportation Program.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels.

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.

Area transportation leaders are inviting the public to share feedback on the potential transportation and land use impacts of the new Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) project along the Interstate 180 (I-180), US 15, and PA 147 corridors.

“We initiated the CSVT Special Impact Study as a proactive evaluation of potential impacts of the new thruway on regional land use growth and transportation systems within Lycoming, Northumberland, and Union counties. It identifies strategies for addressing those impacts,” said Scott Williams, a transportation planner with the Lycoming County Planning Commission.

The study’s action plan establishes priorities and initiatives for the region as both sections of the CSVT project become open to traffic by 2027. The action plan includes the formation of a new task force of regional planners and stakeholders that will help manage the implementation of the study’s recommendations.

Two Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) within the study area are driving the study process: Williamsport Area Transportation Study (WATS) and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG). WATS MPO, which serves Lycoming County, is spearheading the effort in coordination with SEDA-COG and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
“The study will be completed later this fall and will include recommendations to address forecasted impacts on highway safety, traffic operations, land use, and economic development,” said Williams. “We are identifying these strategic actions and initiatives now so the CSVT project can not only improve mobility through our region but be a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and community development.”

“Planning for the outcomes of the CSVT project is a vitally important part of our planning program,” said James Saylor, Transportation Planning Program Director of SEDA-COG. “The full extent of CSVT’s impacts may be unknown to us at this time, but this study has helped us obtain a sense of the challenges that our communities may face. Our partnerships and collaboration with the public, our municipalities, and local stakeholders play a very important role in helping us monitor the changes that may occur as the CSVT project is completed.” Elected officials, area legislators, regional stakeholders, and the public are invited to provide feedback on the study’s preliminary results on Monday, September 13, 2021. A briefing for elected officials and legislators will be held at 4:00 pm, followed by an open public meeting at 6:00 pm. The meeting agenda will include an overview of the study’s analyses of growth and development potential, highway safety, and traffic operations, as well as proposed recommendations.

The dial-in information for the Monday, September 13, 2021 virtual meeting is below:

Dial-in Number: 1 (267) 332-8737
Conference Code: 926 689 24#
For more information on how to connect to the virtual public meeting and for information on planning efforts related to CSVT, please visit http://www.lyco.org/CSVT.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Scott Williams
Transportation Supervisor/WATS MPO
Lycoming County Planning and Community Development Department
Email: swilliams@lyco.org
Phone: (570) 320-2138

James Saylor, P.E., PTOE
Program Director – Transportation Planning SEDA-Council of Governments
Email: jsaylor@seda-cog.org
Phone: (570) 524-4491 ex. 7238

About Williamsport Area Transportation Study (WATS)
The Williamsport Area Transportation Study (WATS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a single county MPO covering Lycoming County. Its mission is to provide a safe, reliable, efficient, environmentally sound, and socially equitable transportation system – including air, rails, roads, bridges, public transit, and trails that enhance Lycoming County’s economic vitality and quality of life. Together with PennDOT, the WATS MPO is responsible for planning for Lycoming County’s transportation systems through the development of a Long-Range Transportation
Plan (LRTP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).

About SEDA-COG
The SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG)’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also advocates for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels.

For more information, please contact Kristen Moyer, communications manager, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7212 or kmoyer@seda-cog.org

SEDA-COG… Building Strong Economies & Strong Communities

Residents in an eight-county area of central Pennsylvania are invited to give their input and share transportation issues to help shape the region’s next major transportation plan.

The SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is updating its Long Range Transportation Plan which proposes practical solutions to transportation safety, maintenance, congestion, and mobility needs for Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties.

The plan identifies transportation needs, goals, projects, and policies for a 20-year planning horizon, and is required to be updated at five-year intervals. The plan establishes the vision and objectives that guide public decisions affecting transportation facilities and services in the region.

Jim Saylor, director of SEDA-COG’s Transportation Planning program, said one of the best ways the public can provide input is through SEDA-COG’s online transportation survey.

“The survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete but it provides valuable information for us. Are there issues we’ve missed? Does what we’ve gathered reflect your experience?” Saylor said. “This the first time we’ve asked for input using a tool like this and it will help us complete the plan and better focus on identifying transportation needs.”

The survey is open now through March 3 and can be found at a website dedicated to the plan: https://lrtp-seda-cog.hub.arcgis.com/

The website also features an interactive map that shows proposed projects, traffic volumes and congestion, bridge and pavement conditions, freight generators, safety problem areas, flooding and rockfall prone areas, and railroads.

Don Kiel, senior principal program analyst for SEDA-COG’s Transportation program, is leading the planning effort.

“We’ve added new data that people can look at and to help focus feedback on the region’s transportation system and proposed new approaches to ranking our regional transportation projects for priority funding. We are employing new and better data that is important in selecting or prioritizing projects,” Kiel said.

Additional public outreach will occur from March to April, along with plan finalization. The finalized plan will be up for adoption at the May public MPO meeting.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.