Shower projects you love with comments

Lots to get excited about. Be sure the Federal DOT knows that these projects are important to you!

Our friends over at the Coalition for Active Mobility, or CAMP, have provided a brief explainer on how and why you should comment on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). CAMP is a new coalition of organizations across Pennsylvania who are combining forces to improve active transportation in the state.

Understanding federal funding for transportation projects is confusing to say the least. Even if you’re a transportation geek, the process can still feel like you need a graduate degree to understand how it works, and most importantly, how you can participate in the process.

While the comment period for projects does seem like a formality, it can still help to say something, especially if it’s for a project that you support.

Right now, in Pennsylvania, the second to last boss in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is under its public comment period. The STIP is basically a list of all of the projects that a state is seeking federal funding for.

Locally, these projects have already been vetted by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, and are now being preparing to confront the final boss, the Federal Department of Transportation, for approval and funding.

Some projects that we’re excited about include Bike Safety Education, the Millvale/Shaler/Etna Trail Connection, the Allegheny River Green Boulevard (Butler St bike lanes b/w Lawrenceville and Highland Park), the Hill District RAISE, the POGOH Expansion, the Brownsville Road Safety Improvement, and a number of public transit improvements.