Tom Corbett, Governor • Barry J. Schoch, Secretary

Issue 7 • Winter 2014

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Landmark Transportation Plan Brings Additional Investments toBicycle, Pedestrian Mobility

On Nov. 25, 2013, Governor Tom Corbett signed House Bill 1060 into law, Pennsylvania’s most comprehensivetransportation legislation in decades. The transportation package will keep Pennsylvania safe and economicallycompetitive by investing an additional $2.3 billion to $2.4 billion into the state’s transportation network by the fifthyear of the plan.

This unprecedented, comprehensive package will bring much-needed additional investment to Pennsylvania’stransportation system. Through the newly established multimodal fund, $2 million is allocated for bicycle andpedestrian facilities in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 state fiscal years.

The annual additional investment estimates are illustrated below.

In This Issue:PennDOT Employees Brave the Elements, Commute By Bicycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Route 35 Juniata River Bridge Project Comes Full Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Advisory Committee Reconstituted, New Members Announced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Trail Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

To learn more about Pennsylvania’s new transportation funding plan, visit www.dot.state.pa.us.

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Transportation Mode Year 1 (Jan. 1-June 30, 2014) est. Year 5 est.

State Roads and Bridges $186 million $1.3 billion

Public Transportation $59 million $480 million - $495 million

Local Roads and Bridges $34 million $237 million

PA Turnpike Expansion Projects $12 million $86 million

Multimodal Fund $30 million $144 million

Dirt/Gravel/Low-Volume Roads - $30 million

TOTAL $321 million $2.3 billion-$2.4 billion

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PennDOT Employees Brave the Elements, Commute By Bicycle By: Ashley Schoch, PennDOT Central Press Office

Dedicated cyclists enjoy commuting by bicycle evenduring the winter. After a few years of mediocrewinter snowfall totals, Pennsylvania residents haveexperienced several storms and even the sub-zerotemperatures of “Polar Vortexes” this season. TwoPennDOT employees – Charlie Carey, assistant chiefbridge engineer in the Bureau of Project Delivery,and Scot Wohlin, civil engineer – commute dailyregardless of the temperature, and have variedexperiences and recommendations when opting fortwo wheels in snow and slush.

Carey’s commute from Camp Hill includes heavycommuter routes, beginning with Route 11/15,crossing the Harvey Taylor Bridge across theSusquehanna River and using bustling Front andNorth Streets to reach the Keystone Building wherePennDOT’s central office is located. Wohlin’scommute brings him through the city of Harrisburgfrom the midtown area to the Keystone Building.The employees don’t have to worry about parking asthe building features indoor and outdoor bike racksfor commuter use.

Due to increased exposure to the elements, Careyand Wohlin recommend preparing for winter ridingby dressing appropriately. Proper attire includeslayering clothing for warmth, covering the ears andface, and wearing eye protection. Rain coats or othermoisture-repelling clothing, along with and water-resistant boots and gloves, are helpful onparticularly wet days.

“Commuters can get a feel for cold weather attire asthey go along,” Carey said. “It has been myexperience that I need gloves below 50 degrees, ahat below 32 degrees, and can usually wear shortsdown to almost 32 degrees.”

Much like those commuting by car, the cyclistsensure their vehicles and supplies are ready forsnowy or icy commutes. Wohlin rides a comfort bikewith fat tires and a heavy tread to ensure security insnow and ice, while Carey rides a mountain bike withtires reinforced with Kevlar to reduce flat tirepotential. A tire-change kit should be carried and totransport these, tools and work clothes, both menuse bike bags that strap to the bike’s luggage rack.

Even with preparing themselves and their bicycles,varying weather patterns affect the type of commutea bicyclist has in the winter. Both riders note thatsidewalks along the river and across some bridges inthe Harrisburg area may not always be shoveled.

Debris from snow-clearing operations can scatteronto the routes on which they ride. Because riding inice, snow and rain can place extra wear and tear on abicycle, Carey suggests riding a less expensive bikein the winter.

Of the varied weather that occurs during the winter,Wohlin finds ice as the hardest element to contendwith.

“[Ice] creates buildup on the side of the road, andnarrows the useable street width, making you closerto the cars and/or in the traffic lane for short periodsof time,” he said. “Steep downhill grades on icyroads are also treacherous.”

Despite the unique challenges posed by the winterseason, bicycling is a healthy commuting alternative.Those who are interested in trying it themselvesshould ensure that they are prepared withappropriate equipment, attire and especially ridingknowledge.

Scot Wohlin, PennDOT Central Office employee, is ready to facethe chilly evening commute home.

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Route 35 Juniata River Bridge Project Comes Full Circle

Over the better part of a decade, PennDOT’sClearfield-based Engineering District 2 movedthrough the process of planning and

designing what became the Route 35 Juniata RiverBridge Project. Connecting the boroughs of Mifflinand Mifflintown in Juniata County, the bridge servesas a main artery to carry car and truck traffic throughthe area. In addition, a new pedestrian bridge spansthe Juniata River in the same location as the originaltraffic bridge.

The project came to a symbolic close Nov. 19, 2013,when the district held a very special “Roll & Stroll”event on the new pedestrian bridge. The “Roll &Stroll" included remarks from Mifflin Borough MayorJim Frampton, who then rode his “Rascal” across thebridge. It also featured a presentation from PennDOTto the Juniata County Historical Society. District 2presented the society with a plaque/marker from theoriginal traffic bridge.

During the planning and preliminary design process,area residents had ample opportunity to offer theirinput and comments. PennDOT held three differentpublic meetings, providing project information inEnglish and Spanish each time in order to reach outto the substantial Latino community in the projectarea.

A study taken during the design phase found thatmore than 200 pedestrians and bicycles use thebridge on a given weekday—a large number given thecombined population of the two boroughs is roughly1,500 people. Many area residents work at the localchicken plant and use the pedestrian bridge to maketheir way to work each day.

PennDOT staff also met many times with publicofficials to answer questions and allay concerns.Through internal meetings and input from arearesidents, five alternatives were whittled down to thepreferred alternative selection.

The bridge project spanned three constructionseasons and included:

• a new traffic bridge on a re-aligned Route 35;

• a new bridge over the railroad;

• a new box culvert between the railroad bridge andthe river bridge;

• a new pedestrian bridge in the location of theoriginal traffic bridge;

• a roundabout at the new alignment of Routes 35;and 3002;

• improvements to the Route 3002/3005intersection and to the Route 35/333 intersection;and

• re-alignment of Route 35, easing traffic impacts inthe borough of Mifflin and carrying traffic acrossthe new bridge at a location down-river from theold bridge.

The district bid the project on May 26, 2011. Notice toproceed on the $15,947,665.34 project was given toNew Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc. on July 5, 2011.

District 2 held a project kick-off ceremony/treeplanting on July 28, 2011, at the Mifflin Borough Park.District 2 also held an official ribbon cutting and carparade for the new traffic bridge on Dec. 5, 2012.

By: Marla Fannin Community Relations Coordinator, PennDOT District 2

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Advisory Committee Reorganized, New MembersAnnounced

The Pennsylvania Pedalcycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, also known as PPAC, was created by Act 72in 1995. The purpose of the PPAC is to advise and comment on all phases of cycling and pedestrian programactivities being undertaken or financially assisted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation andagencies of state government.

Last fall, PPAC was reorganized and the members were reappointed with new members being added to betterrepresent Pennsylvania’s residents and visitors. The list below contains the names of all the members, newand reappointed, and the stakeholders they represent.

Majority Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. . . . . . . . . . . John C. Rafferty, Jr.

Minority Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee . . . . . . . . . . John N. Wozniak

Majority Chairman of the House Transportation Committee . . . . . . . . . . . Nicolas Micozzie.

Minority Chairman of the House Transportation Committee . . . . . . . . . . . Michael P McGeehan

Secretary of Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barry Schoch

Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellen Ferretti

Statewide Constituencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe Stafford

Trail Constituencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patricia Tomes

Pedestrian Constituencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hans van Naerssen

Metro Philadelphia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alex Doty

Metro Pittsburgh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Bricker

MPO/RPO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauri Ahlskog

Senior Citizen or Disabled Constituencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Farley Wright

Children and Education Constituencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Schubert

Recreational Cycling Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fred Richter

Public Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Hoffman

Public Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chandra Kannan

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T r a i l S p o t l i g h t . . .

East Coast Greenway from Canada to Key West Connects45 Million People

Imagine deciding that right after you retire from your career, you willhop on your bike and ride, with your dog, 650 miles self-supportedalong the east coast. That was the mission of Dan McCrady, anoccasional bicyclist who set off to make a difference. Or can youimagine riding from Maine to New York at the age of 90? That iswhat Barbara Cate did with her husband Tracy. These are the typesof inspirational stories that the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-milesystem of trails from the Canadian border to Key West, inspires.

The greenway is a collaboration of local communities, counties andstates working together to link existing trails with new ones to makea complete trail connecting the entire East Coast. It connects 15 ofAmerica’s most densely populated states, the District of Columbiaand virtually all major cities along the eastern seaboard and providesrecreation, transportation and access to historic assets for more than45 million people.

Pennsylvania’s portion of the trail, a 55-mile route connecting TrentonNJ, to Philadelphia, and on to Wilmington, is being built rapidly withthe help of several groups and communities. The communities activelyengaged in the project include Morrisville, Falls, Tullytown, BristolTownship, Bristol Borough, Bensalem, Philadelphia, Tinicum, Ridley,Eddystone, Chester, Trainer, and Marcus Hook. When discussing thestate’s efforts, Executive Director of the East Coast Greenway DennisMarkatos-Soriano has said that Pennsylvania and Philadelphia areleaders in greenway development and partners are “building healthy,sustainable, and thriving communities throughout the region and alongthe whole eastern seaboard." In fact, the state’s partnerships are citedas a reason that the East Coast Greenway Alliance will be hosting theNational Spring State of the Greenway Summit in Philadelphia in 2015.

In Pennsylvania, the greenway connects a series of on and off-roadtrails along the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers as well as the CobbsCreek watershed. Currently, more than 90 percent of the route is onroads, but current and forthcoming projects will ensure that thePennsylvania section will be off road on all but 12 miles of the route.This will be achieved through 13 projects over the next three years.

Sadie and Dan McCrady in Bristol, Pa.

The Cates on the bridge of the Farmington Riverin Conn.

Key West Over Sees Heritage Trail

Schuylkill River Boardwalk under construction,fall 2013

Down East Sunrise Trail, Hallowell Maine

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For more information on these trails, visit: www.greenway.orgWritten by

Andrew Hamilton, RLA, ASLA, APBP - Mid-Atlantic Trail Coordinator

Some projects that are under way or will soon begin to enhance the greenway include:

• Expanding the 250 miles of completed trails in the Philadelphia region through the efforts of the William PennFoundation and the Circuit, aiming to connect all of the region’s trails;

• Re-opening the Delaware and Lehigh Towpath from Bristol Borough to the Calhoun Street bridge in Morrisville,listed on the National Register of Historic Places and owned by the Delaware River Joint Toll BridgeCommission that carries the greenway across the Delaware River from Trenton; and

• Five trail projects from the Bucks County border to the center of Philadelphia that, when complete, will benamed the North Delaware River Greenway.

This expansive project vision in Pennsylvania is reflected in the broad progress of the greenway project overall. Thegreenway currently incorporates 169 individual trails that are interconnected by roadways. Today the East CoastGreenway is 29 percent off-road trails with roadways connecting these trails. Every year approximately 50 miles ofnew trail are built and incorporated into the East Coast Greenway, which serves as a spine trail for the East Coastas many trails are connected to it. This connection creates a network of trails, allowing experiences along the trailto range from urban, suburban, village, forests and riverfronts to seafronts and rural landscapes.

To help administer this large project that has been worked on for 22 years, a dedicated team is actively engaged.The initiative has a dedicated Board of Trustees and advisory committees, with seven people staffing it nationally.The East Coast Greenway Pennsylvania Committee is a coalition of non-profit organizations and local governmentsthat together is stronger than its many parts. The East Coast Greenway would not be a reality today inPennsylvania without the help of these partners, including the Delaware River City Corporation, Delaware RiverWaterfront Corporation and Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, theDelaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and many more.

Beyond ensuring that the greenway serves as a gateway for mobility and tourism, it is recognized for its healthbenefits. The Chair of the Board of Trustees for the East Coast Greenway Alliance David C. Read is the VicePresident of Ambulatory Care Operations and Medical Oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Read sees theEast Coast Greenway as vital for the populous of the East Coast from a public health standpoint.

“The development of the East Coast Greenway is more important now that ever. Having a sister to the AppalachianTrail, but one for all non-motorized users that is ADA assessable is very relevant to the country’s most populousregion,” he said. “In these times of obesity crisis and diabetic epidemic, we need to create safer, traffic separatedopportunities to bike and walk.”

To find out more about the East Coast Greenway and efforts to complete it or to become an initiative member, visitwww.greenway.org. Maps of the East Coast Greenway from Washington DC to New York City are available for anominal mailing cost by emailing info@greenway.org.

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