2023 Allegheny County Executive Candidates Respond to BikePGH Survey
🗳 Update: The results of the 2023 municipal primaries are in! Check the county’s website to see all the details, and see below where we’ve made note of the winner. Thanks again to all of the candidates who participated in our survey.
We Bike, We Walk & WE VOTE!
Biking and walking are not only quality of life issues, they are political issues. Elected officials determine how much is invested in our streets, and whether or not those investments make biking and walking safer and less stressful. Biking and walking are healthy, affordable ways to get around, and positively address air quality and climate change. They are good for the economy, and biking and walking infrastructure make our streets safer. If our streets are dangerous for biking and walking, the outcomes affect us all.
After three terms, long-time Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald is stepping down. The field to replace him is big. While the County doesn’t control too many roads, they do play a significant part in what happens on many bridges, and most significantly, the ever-expanding trail system. The County is also responsible for regional air quality and public health, and hold a huge role in working with municipalities on policy and planning initiatives that affect development, road building, and Complete Streets initiatives.
We wanted to be sure to give these candidates an opportunity to talk directly to the voters on these issues, so that you can better understand where they are coming from and make an informed decision for who to cast your vote for on the May 16 primary and November 7 elections.
We have posted the answers in the order in which they were returned to us, and we’d like to offer a sincere “THANK YOU” to the candidates for participating.
Note: Theresa Sciulli Colaizzi and William Parker, both Democratic Candidates, did not respond to the survey. Republican candidate Joseph Rockey does not have a challenger in the primary election, but will answer questions on the lead up to the general election in November.
1. What do you see as the Allegheny County Executive’s primary role in making sure walking and biking is safe and convenient for residents and visitors?
I talk alot about making 15 minute communities– livable communities that serve people at all stages of their lives, from our students to our seniors. 25 years ago I led the charge to develop the Office of the County Executive. We understood then, as we do now, the chief executive position was created to oversee economic growth of the county. To me, investing in us and creating the kind of community where people want to live and businesses want to locate is true economic development.
Part of that vision is having a safe and clean and walkable place to live. Pittsburgh is a wonderful city, its traffic is not. By encouraging more walking and biking options in the city, not only do we help our air quality issues, but also we cut down on traffic, expand multi-model options for transit, and actually create 15-minute communities across Allegheny that focus on connectivity.
There are several critical roles for the Allegheny County Executive to play in these matters. First is to use the power of the seat on the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Executive Committee and the appointments to the board to advocate for smarter multi-modal transportation funding that prioritizes safety, convenience, and physical mobility for users of all transportation modes. SPC directs billions of dollars of state and federal funding and sets policy and vision. I will play an active role in ensuring that the funding matches that vision.
The second is to use the power and influence of Allegheny County Economic Development to incentivize municipalities to implement modern zoning and planning processes that properly balance the needs of single-occupancy vehicle drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians through complete street ordinances. While Allegheny County does not directly zone or plan, it does direct funding toward infrastructure projects and improvements, creating an opportunity for progress. Further, Allegheny County is responsible for over 400 miles of roads and can implement complete streets standards in the construction and upkeep process of those roadways. Many municipalities in our county are already leaders. For example, the CONNECT communities have been working together, an effort I have been involved in as a State Representative, to develop transit-oriented development plans, Climate Action Plans, and other reforms that the County government could and should be playing a much more active role in. Complete Streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work. They can help buses to run on time and make it safe for people to walk to and from stops and stations. This is an easy way for us to ensure more walkable, transit-friendly communities through our County owned roads
Third, as a member of the Transportation Committee as a State Representative, I will use my connections and experience to take on a much more active advocacy role with PennDOT and the General Assembly to ensure collaboration across regional projects and passage of smart policy that makes safer streets, like parking-protected bike lanes. I will also use my relationships with our federal elected leaders to work with US DOT to make our priorities for better and safer modern transportation infrastructure clear and to advocate for new investments from the IIJA and IRA to move on major projects in this region.
Our neighbors need to be able to access critical services: work, school, doctors, grocery stores, and all the everyday functions anyone might need. They need to not just feel safe, but be safe. That’s why it’s imperative that we address our region’s growing crime epidemic. Whether it be 10:00am or 10:00pm, there should not be a concern about accessing essential needs by any mode of transportation.
BikePGH has done a tremendous job making the City of Pittsburgh more bikeable. We now need a massive expansion of bikeways and trails countywide in order to dramatically increase the use of safe biking and walking as a means of transportation in our county. This would be a central priority of mine as County Executive.
We should have bikeways countywide that are not just a matter of road sharing, but wherever possible separate lanes or separated from roads entirely. I have championed trails, bikeways and the creation of a Countywide Riverfront Park (see below) as an economic engine; a tool for revitalization of our many mill towns and riverfront communities; a way to reduce carbon footprint; and, finally, as a way to attract young and old alike to stay in or move to our region. The scope of this investment would be substantial – likely $500 million or more – but the returns would make it well worth it. This would be a transformative investment in our under-resourced urban core and riverfront communities, it is more than just a matter of sustainability and livability, but also a matter of social and economic equity.
2. Emissions from light-duty trucks and cars make up approximately 57% of transportation sector and 22% of overall climate change emissions. A sizeable portion of these emissions contribute to poor air quality. Please share your ideas to address our poor air quality and climate change related to the transportation sector
Access to public transportation is an economic, climate, and racial justice issue, and investing in transit would be one of many steps I would take as County Executive to combat our climate crisis. In order to expand PRT service, we first need to eliminate the shortage of operators and I am committed to working with our high schools and other community organizations to do so. We need to also incentivize people to take public transportation by increasing service and reducing costs. I am committed to giving every County Employee a free monthly bus pass so that they can commute to and from work every day. We can also expand the discount pilot program for SNAP/ EBT recipients into a zero far program by using existing funding at DHS to have more people using public transportation and expand the MLK busway from Swissvale all the way down the Mon Valley to McKeesport and create transit-oriented development, centered around affordable housing near the new stations on the line. This will get more people to Downtown Pittsburgh, allow the county to combat the housing crisis we are facing and continue to get more cars off the road.
We need to acknowledge the reality that those who have been impacted most by transit route changes have not had a seat at the table under the status quo leadership. An immediate first step I will take is to start a new, more collaborative relationship with Pittsburgh Regional Transit and appoint transit advocates to the board of directors. PRT was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, facing both large ridership losses and large staff losses that must be swiftly addressed to get the organization back to full capacity. The best and most equitable way to reduce emissions in the transportation sector is to build a stronger, more reliable, and more extensive public transportation system that offers everyone in the county an affordable, car-free option that includes micro-mobility options. I will also work with PRT and the county Department of Human Services to expand and make permanent the current discounted fare pilot program to provide free or very low-cost transit rides to low-income residents. I will also look for opportunities to expand Bus Rapid Transit and the T line to new communities and look to leverage new federal dollars from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to do so. We cannot expect people to shift transportation modes until we have an affordable, reliable, and easily accessible public transit system and I am committed to working with PRT to get there.
As a champion for housing, I know that equitable housing requires access to affordable, reliable, and convenient transportation options. That’s why, as your County Executive, I will encourage equitable transit-oriented development (TOD) that is mixed-use and mixed-income housing that will reduce dependency on motor vehicles. Equity must be at the root of these developments to ensure individuals are not displaced by new development and can benefit from the new investments.
Additionally, I will work with advocates and municipal leaders, as noted above, to prioritize complete streets and create safer and more robust pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure to provide better options for people interested and able to pursue those modes.
While I understand electric vehicles are not the panacea to reducing emissions from the transportation sector, they are superior to gasoline-powered vehicles, so I will also look for opportunities to draw down new federal resources to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure and work with municipalities to offer new electric charging opportunities. However, my primary focus will be on public transit and bike/ped opportunities, not on single occupancy vehicles
Many strides have been made since our region’s image as a smoky industrial town. That’s commendable, though there’s a great deal more to be done. We need to utilize every resource available to continue building upon past progress. President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a great resource, and I fully intend to partner with our representatives at the federal level to maximize its utility.
As County Executive, I would dramatically expand the ability of our residents to commute and transport themselves by means other than car or truck with more bikeways and more connectivity throughout the County, starting with the creation of a Countywide Riverfront Park.
The County is authorized and fully empowered to create this new park due to two ordinances that were passed, unanimously, when I was on the County Council. The Countywide Riverfront Park would would run along one side or the other of every one of our 4 major rivers – the Allegheny, the Monongahela, the Youghiogheny and the Ohio – with bridge connections, continuous bikeways and amenities all along the way, from county line to county line.
It would be a matter of moving rail lines back, reclaiming our riverfronts, and breathing life back into our old steel towns and our most challenged city neighborhoods. It would also provide a means for people to get out of their cars and lessen carbon footprint. In short, it would be a huge investment, but well worth it, as it would raise the profile of our region dramatically and would set our course toward becoming a Beacon of Sustainability.
3. Allegheny County recently invested an historic $22 million into trail development projects, accelerating trail development by years, if not decades. In what specific ways will your Administration continue this strong momentum to ensure that the trail network continues to expand and connect to even more communities in Allegheny County? (Question presented in coordination with Friends of the Riverfront)
One of the reasons I am running for County Executive is that I believe Allegheny County has failed to invest in avenues that will improve our collective quality of life using the resources we already have in our County. That extends to our trail system as well. We have wonderful trails in our county parks that I enjoy hiking but they aren’t connected to each other. I envision a trail system that connects all of our county parks together, and connects our parks to larger trails like the Gap Trail to Washington DC. Not only will this connect communities together and increase tourism to the area, but it provides us another opportunity to combat climate change by rebuilding our tree canopy and expanding our green space.
As one huge early opportunity, I will continue the work I have already started as a State Representative to collaborate with Friends of the Riverfront. Last year, I worked with state and local officials to secure a $5 million investment in Allegheny Shores development and the Brilliant Line in Sharpsburg and Aspinwall, which will be the newest high-quality trail connection in our region. This project is an incredible opportunity to level up our system and set the stage for future expansions of the network. I will build new capacity within Allegheny County Economic Development to begin to think about our trail system as a new economic development opportunity akin to what we have seen with the GAP Trail and other investments around the country. These systems have enormous potential to attract eco-tourism, recreational transportation businesses, small shops and restaurants, and hospitality such as small bed and breakfasts along the system. And all of these things have a multiplier effect that helps keep trail systems well-funded and maintained, create jobs, and add to the tax base of communities along the network. I have strong relationships with Friends of the Riverfront, Riverlife, Bike Pittsburgh, and many other organizations that have been leading this work for decades and you will have a partner and champion in the County Executive’s office.
Our trails and riverfronts are amongst this region’s most valuable commodities. We’re known the world over for the compelling views they provide and their world-class views and experiences. Their continued maintenance and further development is a boon to our region, attracting not only tourism but also an incentive for families to choose Allegheny County as their preferred home. As Executive, I intend to coordinate with our nonprofits to continue expanding on the greenspace available to all our neighbors and visitors.
Fifteen years ago, while I served on the Allegheny County Council, I spearheaded the passage of two ordinances directing and empowering the County to create a Countywide Riverfront Park.
This legislation gave the County the power and authority to create this park. It was passed unanimously by the Democrats and Republicans then serving on the Council. It was a clear mandate for action.
Yet, despite their promises to do so, and despite the overwhelming grassroots support for the idea, our County leadership dropped the ball, and were delinquent in failing to implement this transformative initiative. As County Executive, I will pick up where they left off and spearhead this amazing investment in our region.
4. The concept of “Complete Streets” include designing our roads/streets to be safe for all ages and abilities regardless of what mode of transportation one is using. How can Allegheny County work with local municipalities to work toward this vision?
We have 130 unique municipalities in Allegheny County and our next County Executive needs to take a more active role in coordinating services between them. I want to create an Office of Municipal Partnership and a Municipal Infrastructure Bank. The Office of Municipal Partnerships will be an advocate at the county level to assist our municipalities with crucial issues like improving our infrastructure, creating more affordable housing, and redesigning streets to make them safer. A municipal infrastructure bank would be vital to allow our municipalities to make improvements to our roads, bridges and sidewalks. This would allow municipalities to pool their money with the backing of the county to get lower interest rates from lenders. This model has been used successfully in Butler and Fayette counties and I would enthusiastically bring it to Allegheny County.
As I noted in my first answer I will incentivize all municipalities in Allegheny County to draft and pass complete streets plans and to adjust their zoning accordingly. Additionally, we need to incentivize municipalities to work with their local school districts to create Safe Routes to School. Every child in Allegheny County should have the option to safely walk, ride, or drive to get to their school. This is not simply a good opportunity to increase outdoor recreation, but a change to pursue policies of disability justice by increasing accessibility, ensuring safe sidewalks with curb cuts, and improving mobility in our neighborhoods. Many municipalities are already starting this work, but they need and deserve a strong partner to help get these policies implemented and over the finish line. I’ll put real technical assistance resources behind this effort to ensure that not only the wealthy, well-connected municipalities can take advantage of the incentives but that we also approach this from a strong equity standpoint and prioritize investments in municipalities that need the most help. This year is on track to be one of the deadliest years for pedestrians in Allegheny County and this condition is preventable. It takes focus and resources and I commit that I will provide both. CONNECT is already well on the way to helping their member communities take this new approach and I will provide direct assistance to help them realize their vision. Additionally, we also need to invest in other structures like the various Councils of Government around our county that haven’t seen the direct investment they need from county government and could benefit from a more active partner.
Infrastructure is about more than roads and bridges, it’s about making sure people can go about their daily lives. Wherever you may live, we need to make sure the entire community is connected and able to reach necessary resources. Allegheny County is home to 130 municipalities, each with their own infrastructures. We need to prioritize working together toward coordinated networks that allow efficient routes throughout our communities regardless of where their borders lie.
There should be a coordinated plan between the County and all municipalities that encourages and incentivizes municipalities to design as many roads and streets as possible to be safe for driving, biking and walking…this is done in many other places around the world, and should be done here. For example, in Amsterdam, the city with the highest percentage of bike usage of any urban area in the world, most all roads and streets are designed with a segregated bikeway, separate from the road surface, and it allows and encourages bicycling as a viable form of transportation for commuting and traveling in general. We can do the same here. Build it and it will be used…lessening our carbon footprint as a region and making cycling a very safe alternative to driving.
5. Why should people who care about safe streets for biking and walking vote for you?
Throughout my career in public service, I have made it a point to be involved in every community in Allegheny County to advocate for the people–not large corporations. That starts with listening to those people. I have built my career and this campaign around the issues that people have told me they care about–a more accountable government, keeping their neighborhoods safe and clean, fixing our bridges and roads, and expanding public transportation. I have a proven track record of taking bold, progressive ideas from press conference to practice–we wouldn’t be talking about this position if 25 years ago we hadn’t taken a leap to change our form of government and I lead that effort. I have implemented change at every level, from publicizing city contracts, campaign finance and lobbying dollars, to creating CONNECT, or Congress of Neighboring Communities to work together on the issues that face this region’s urban core, to fighting for better EMS and stormwater services across the county. I have made good on my word to strive toward excellence and make government work better for its people. I
understand how to create better, more connected, and greener communities, and it starts with working at the community level. I now humbly ask the people of the county, those who care about walking and biking, those who will help me build a better county, for their support in May. We can change this county together.
My track record on these issues as a State Representative speaks for itself. As County Executive, I will be the same community-focused coalition-builder that I always have been. I don’t just talk about the issues, I vote on them, I direct real resources toward them, and I use my bully pulpit to advocate for change well beyond any individual district that I represent. I worked with Bike Pittsburgh to create a demo project for parking-protected bike lanes, so people could see first-hand how they would be impacted by the policy change. I have been a proud member of Bike Pittsburgh and I share your values and your sense of urgency for change. I need your votes and I need you to continue to push me and hold me accountable when I’m in office. The Allegheny County Executive is one of the most powerful positions in Pennsylvania, and together we can use this position to pursue transportation justice and more walkable communities. Public transportation is a human right and a critical lifeline for many people in Allegheny County. At a time when we face multiple crises — disproportionately impacting low-income and Black residents, as well as people with disabilities — we should be expanding service. Investment in public transit is a driver for local economies and can revive regional industries. Coming from the General Assembly, I understand the limitations of funding streams, but we should be thinking creatively about how to expand and improve transit, not cutting it. As we do this work to improve transportation service, we also must ensure that we improve the built environment — and we do that with complete streets policies. Together, we can build a more equitable, safer, and accessible transportation ecosystem in our region.
The key to a vibrant and thriving community is connectivity. This region is fortunate to have a great many resources. We have homegrown businesses and world-class parks and institutions, but their value is vastly diminished if we don’t provide the means to access them. I understand the value of accessibility, of family friendliness, and of utilizing the many resources we have to offer. Because of that, I’m committed to ensuring everyone can reach them, and reach them safely, no matter what mode of transportation they use. I’m committed to working together to improve the most critical corridors, to renovate the most dangerous avenues, and to construct a framework that will continue to build on those objectives long into the future
You should vote for me if you care about safe streets for biking and walking, because I am the only candidate in this primary who is talking about expanding access to bikeways and trails. I am also the only candidate with real vision, willing to take on big projects to improve our quality of life here in transformative ways. I am an avid cyclist and will lead on these issues with that perspective.
NEWSLETTER
1 Comment
Thanks for putting this together. I really appreciate it and it has informed my vote.