Region’s Infrastructure to Get Funding Boost

The region’s transportation infrastructure will see billions in upgrades over the coming years as part of a 25-year SmartMoves long-term investment plan.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) recently announced the transportation improvement plan (TIP) for years 2027-2030 which identifies the projects in a 10-county region that will receive federal, state, and municipal funding that is prioritized based on their condition, safety, and economic development considerations. The SPC is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) responsible for the region’s transportation planning.

Overall, the 2027–2030 TIP represents approximately $4.7 billion in transportation investments across the region. The most recent plan updates the 2019 SmartMoves long-term plan that was changed in 2023 after the pandemic to reflect a vision for regional growth, infrastructure and transportation. The TIP includes $2.7 billion for public transportation, including bus and rail maintenance, station improvements, and replacement of more than 450 buses and shared-ride vehicles and $2.0 billion for highways and bridges.

Nearly half of highway funding is dedicated to repairing or replacing structurally deficient bridges, with the goal of reducing the region's poor-condition bridge inventory by more than 13%.

Rather than emphasizing new highway construction, the TIP focuses on preserving existing transportation assets and improving safety and reliability throughout the region. Other funding is aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion on area roadways, including pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

One of the major investments is $9 million in funding to improve the Pittsburgh Regional Transit rapid transit bus line to the Mon Valley, making public transit more convenient. In Washington and Greene counties, work will include updates and paving on Interstate 79, Route 19 traffic signal upgrades, and Route 88 improvements.

 A complete list of projects for each county is available on the SPC website.