PennDOT Highlights Union County Bridge Improvement Plans, Multimodal Transportation Fund Opportunities to Improve Local Infrastructure

​Multimodal Transportation Fund grant applications will be accepted until November 5

New Berlin, PA - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll visited Walnut Street bridge in New Berlin, Union County to highlight the county's innovative approach for obtaining nearly $2.2 million from the state Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) to replace six locally-owned bridges in poor condition. He also encouraged eligible entities to submit applications to the current MTF funding opportunity.

Union County partnered with five of its municipalities to successfully apply for MTF grants to replace the bridges in Hartley Township (Palman Road), Lewis Township (Kaiser Run Road), New Berlin Borough (Walnut Street), West Buffalo Township (Centennial Road and another on Johnstown Road) and White Deer Township (Creek Road).

The county received nearly $1.4 million in the 2024 MTF funding round and $800,000 in 2023. The most recent award means that the project is now fully funded. The county will manage the project and the grant administration, and the bridges will be bundled under one contract to save time and costs.

"The Multimodal Fund is a great funding opportunity for municipalities and others to improve their infrastructure and create important economic opportunities," said Carroll. "But it can be a challenge for municipalities - especially smaller ones - to pursue these funds. I applaud Union County leadership and these municipalities for their collaboration and partnership."

The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides financial assistance to municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities. By improving transportation assets, this program seeks to enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization.

Pennsylvania has made historic progress in maintaining and improving critical infrastructure across the Commonwealth, with Pennsylvania leading the nation last year in the repair of poor-condition bridges. Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has secured over $300 million in new infrastructure funding to maintain Pennsylvania's roads and bridges - reducing the Pennsylvania State Police's reliance on the Motor License Fund, delivering more funding for transportation while ensuring our law enforcement officers are sustainably funded.

PennDOT is currently accepting applications for the next round of funding for grants under the Multimodal Transportation Fund. PennDOT will evaluate the applications and make selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.

Applications are due by 4:00 PM on November 5, 2024. PennDOT expects to announce grant recipients next year for the funding that becomes available in summer 2025.

For more information about the program, visit www.penndot.pa.gov and click on Multimodal Program under the "Projects & Programs" button.

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 X alerts.

Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

CONTACT: Alexis Campbell, 717-783-8800 or [email protected]

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