PennDOT Accepting Applications Under Multimodal Transportation Fund

PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced on Sept. 12 that it will be accepting applications through Nov. 14 to fund transportation improvement projects under the Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF).

According to PennDOT, eligible applicants include municipalities, council of governments, business/non-profit organizations, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, public airports, and ports and rail entities.

Projects that will be considered, PennDOT says, should “coordinate local land use with transportation assets to enhance existing communities; improve streetscape, lighting, sidewalk facilities, and pedestrian safety; improve connectivity or utilization of existing transportation assets; or advance transit-oriented-development.” Projects are selected based on safety benefits, regional economic conditions, technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency and operational sustainability, according to the agency.

In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, 56 projects were awarded $47.8 million in MTF funding throughout 28 counties, including:

• Construction of safety improvements to Curtin Hollow Road in Boggs Township, Centre County.
• Replacement of Green Mountain Drive Bridge, a structure of significant structural concern in Smithfield Township, Monroe County.
• Completion of public safety and connectivity improvements at the Altoona Transportation Center in the City of Altoona, Blair County.
• Transformation of a previously closed portion of Sylvan Avenue into a public trail for pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.

Act 89 of 2013 created a new deputate for multimodal transportation at PennDOT. This organization provides financial support and oversight for:

• Public Transportation
• Passenger Rail
• Rail Freight
• Ports and Waterways
• Aviation and Airports
• Active Transportation

Act 89, the agency says, “also established a dedicated MTF that stabilizes funding for ports and rail freight, increases aviation investments, establishes dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and allows targeted funding for priority investments in any mode.”

“Transportation needs to work for everyone,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “The MTF helps support projects that keep people safe and connected, no matter who they are or how they travel.”

PennDOT says it expects to announce grant recipients next year with funding to become available in July 2023.

For more information about the program and previous years’ applications and awards, visit the Multimodal Program page of PennDOT’s website.

To submit a 2023-24 state fiscal year MTF application, click here.