PHIA recognizes Montgomery County for innovative funding program
HARRISBURG (April 21, 2010) – Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has been recognized for an innovative funding program that saved several local transportation improvement projects facing elimination due to lack of state or federal funding.The Pennsylvania Highway Information Association presented its Financing for the Future Award to the county for its “Jump Start” initiative. Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel accepted the award at PHIA’s Transportation Conference and Annual Meeting.
In November 2008, commissioners recommended a 10-year, $150 million local funding initiative for voter approval. Before taking it to voters, however, commissioners decided to demonstrate how the program could be effective, by funding six local construction-ready projects – a jump-start for the 10-year funding plan.
The projects selected were:
- Sumneytown Pike Widening Project (Upper Gwynedd Township).
- Matsonford Road Widening Project (West Conshohocken Borough).
- PA 611 Old York Road Signal Upgrade Project (Jenkintown Borough).
- PA 63/PA 29 New Traffic Signal Project (Green Lane Borough).
- PA 29 at 11th Street Signal Project (Pennsburg and Red Hill Boroughs).
- PA 100 at Shoemaker Road Intersection Improvement Project (Pottstown Borough).
“These were projects that had NO state or federal funding and were at risk of being eliminated,” noted incoming PHIA President Barry Schoch. “We congratulate the Montgomery County Commissioners for their vision, as well as their refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer and finding a successful way to deal with local infrastructure challenges.”
The funding proposal will come before voters in November. For more information regarding the Jump Start program, click here.
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