Public Input on Transportation Priorities Sought for State Transportation Program Update

Registration for Initiative's First-Ever Online Public Meeting Also Encouraged

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of the update to the commonwealth's 12-Year Transportation Program, Pennsylvanians are invited to visit www.TalkPATransportation.com to provide input on their transportation priorities and to register for the program's first-ever interactive online public meeting.        

The program, which serves as a blueprint of prioritized transportation projects, is updated every two years through a cooperative effort among the State Transportation Commission (STC), PennDOT and its 23 regional planning partners.

"These new ways to involve the public in our planning process replace our old method of using in-person public meetings and written testimony," PennDOT Secretary and STC Chairman Barry J. Schoch said. "Our modernized process makes it easier for the public to share their priorities and concerns with us, which gives us a more complete picture of transportation needs as we update our program."

The online public meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26. During the webcast, Schoch will provide an update on state transportation issues and answer questions from registered participants. Pennsylvanians can register for the meeting at www.TalkPATransportation.com and questions may be submitted in advance to [email protected].

Through Oct. 7, the public can also submit feedback at their convenience:

• Through the "Tell Us What You Think" survey on the website;
• By emailing [email protected] to request a printed survey copy; or
• By telephone at 1-855-896-4930.

The STC evaluates and assesses the resources needed to maintain and expand the state's transportation system. The 15-member commission includes Schoch, 10 private citizens appointed by the governor, and the majority and minority chairs of the state Senate and House Transportation Committees.

Media contact: Steve Chizmar or Erin Waters-Trasatt, 717-783-8800

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Transportation