Currently, municipalities and the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT) can work together and return the maintenance of state roads to municipalities under certain conditions. As a part of this program, known as the Highway Transfer Turnback Program (Turnback Program), payments are made to municipalities annually for the maintenance of these roads.
 
However, the amount municipalities receive under the program is currently set at $4,000 per mile; an amount that has not changed since 2006. Further complicating the ability to maintain many of these potentially eligible roads is the high vacancy rates in some PennDOT maintenance facilities. Some of these facilities are only staffed at 60% of the expected staffing rates.  
 
Many municipal public works departments, however, are more fully staffed and able to address local roads. Though PennDOT could also benefit from turning back these same roads, mutually beneficial agreements have not been reached because of a lack of incentives provided by the program. In fact, participating in the program would be at a loss for most municipalities.
 
We will be introducing legislation to increase the amount Pennsylvania’s municipalities receive from $4,000 per mile to $12,500 per mile. The bill will also require PennDOT to increase the per mile payment every two years based on the increase in the cost of living. It has been almost 20 years since local municipalities were given a raise for taking care of state roads, which has created significant issues. It is time that we step up to support them and reinvest in the program.
 
This increase will improve local roadways, incentivize additional use of the program, reduce the burden on PennDOT, and support our local municipalities who have taken on the responsibility of maintaining state roads and keeping them safe for our communities and drivers.
 
Please join us in addressing this long-standing issue.
 
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 3764: 75-9511(g)(1)