Fayette County leaders discuss transportation needs
DUNBAR TWP. — Community officials and representatives continue to discuss ways to improve transportation modes throughout the region.
Members of the Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) of Southwestern Pennsylvania traveled to Fayette County on Wednesday to roll out “Imagine Transportation 2.0” — a plan to better connect the 10 counties within the RTA, for local officials and community leaders.
The RTA is a coalition of public and private partners representing Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence, Butler and Armstrong counties and the City of Pittsburgh.
County commission Chairman Vincent Vicites is a member of the RTA steering committee, with Lawrence County Commissioner Steve Craig and Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. Chief Executive Officer Brian Heery serving as co-chairmen.
According to Carly Dobbins-Bucklad, RTA project manager and senior policy analyst for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, “Imagine Transportation 2.0” began nearly three years ago with 850 groups within the region providing data that would be used to improve mobility and guide infrastructure investments.
“Today, we had a great group of people and some good conversation,” she said of those who took part in the conference at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, including educational leaders, civic and business representatives, officials and others. “Our goal today was to inform them of the outcome of the research and then take it down as to what it means for Fayette County and beyond its borders.
“There are a lot of ideas, but it has to be taken to the next step.”
Seven principles and 50 proposed projects were outlined, including a few that would favorably impact Fayette County, if implemented.
A priority is upgrading Route 21.
“Route 21 is the major east-west route in the southern part of our region,” said planners. “Despite being the primary artery for rural truck traffic to connect to I-79, many parts of this road are just two lanes and in disrepair.
“Additionally, Route 21 passes through Waynesburg’s downtown, and traffic bottlenecks create issues for local businesses to attract patrons.
“Opportunities have been identified to improve strategic intersections and select portions of the road’s geometry to improve the overall flow and multi-user access of this important corridor.”
The plan also identifies the need to upgrade and expand transit services, better utilize technology to detect traffic congestion and change traffic signals.
Fayette County’s transit system, Fayette Area Coordinated Transit, said Dobbins-Bucklad, has done a “very good job” in connecting its services with other counties.
“It is one that should be looked at by other counties as an example of how it should work,” she said.
While major corridors are of concern, “Imagine Transportation 2.0” also acknowledges the need to address the maintenance of local roads and its cost.
“Local governments in Pennsylvania own nearly twice as many miles of roads as the state does,” said planners. “That local network is the glue between our major corridors, getting us from our front doors to our final destinations.
“If traditional funding can’t keep up, we need to look for other tools we might use to help pay for local roads.”
Vehicles, buses and trains have long been the typical modes of transportation for people to get back and forth to work, but, today, many are looking to ride their bikes to their place of business, planners said.
“While bicycling has primarily been a recreational or exercise activity in the region, there is a growing interest in this mode as an active community option,” they said. “For the education institutions and job centers in our region that are fortunate enough to have a trail nearby, there is the possibility of making it a viable commuting option through the thoughtful placement of park-and-bike lots.”
Vicites, meanwhile, said that the report contains many “great ideas.” However, similarly to constructing a home, the foundation must be built first, and so should the regions’ foundation, the northern extension of the Mon-Fayette Expressway.
“When the decision has been made and approved to put the final phase (of the expressway) on the 2017-20 transportation improvement plan, we can then begin talking about those other projects,” he said following the conference.
Commissioners Dave Lohr and Angela M. Zimmerlink were also among the attendees.
Lohr said that he embraces the “regionalization” of the plan as it brings together all stakeholders for a common goal.
“We have to work together,” he said.
Dobbins-Bucklad, meanwhile, said the completion of the study is timely as the state Department of Transportation has announced its “PennDot Connects” a new program that works with municipalities to determine projects and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission that is now working on its long-range transportation plan.
“The door is open, and this is an opportunity to let (PennDOT and SPC) know what is needed,” she said. “To let them know what will make a difference.”