(HARRISBURG) – On April 27, 2021, the Senate approved a plan launched by Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) to reform the Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3) statute and to void the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative.

“I remain extremely concerned with the size, scope and precedent this initiative could have on the Commonwealth,” said Senator Langerholc, who is the chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. “A one-page resolution from PennDOT that does not fulfill the conditions required by legislation that created the P3 statute deserves further scrutiny by the General Assembly. The Senate voted today to hit the brakes on this reckless plan. The answer for transportation funding cannot just be to raise taxes or fees on the back of hardworking Commonwealth residents.”

Senate Bill 382 will:

• Increase transparency by requiring PennDOT to publish a detailed analysis prior to the P3 Board’s voting meeting, and mandate PennDOT to distribute a copy of the P3 Board’s resolution, with or without a user fee, within 24 hours.
• Incorporate public input by creating a new 30-day public comment period prior to the P3 Board meeting.
• Create checks and balances on the obscure P3 Board by clarifying any P3 project with a user fee shall be deemed disapproved unless the Governor and General Assembly approve.
• Void the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative and require reconsideration by the P3 Board following the new process outlined in Senate Bill 382.

On November 12, 2020, the P3 Board, under PennDOT’s jurisdiction, supported an ambiguous proposal to impose user fees or tolls on major bridges throughout the interstate system.  This was the first time in the P3 Board’s history to consider a proposal with user fees.

The serious gaps in the P3 statute became clear when PennDOT finally announced the details of the proposal three months after the P3 Board meeting.  The P3 statute requires a detailed analysis prior to the meeting.

PennDOT will proceed with imposing tolls on the following nine bridges, unless the General Assembly passes Senate Bill 382:

• I-78 Lenhartsville Bridge Replacement Project in Berks County;
• I-79 Widening, Bridges and Bridgeville Interchange Reconfiguration in Allegheny County;
• I-80 Canoe Creek Bridges in Clarion County;
• I-80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges in Luzerne County;
• I-80 North Fork Bridges Project in Jefferson County;
• I-80 Over Lehigh River Bridge Project in Luzerne and Carbon Counties;
• I-81 Susquehanna Project in Susquehanna County;
• I-83 South Bridge Project in Dauphin County; and
• I-95 Girard Point Improvement Bridge Project in Philadelphia County.

Senate Bill 382 was passed out of the Senate with a vote of 28-19.   The legislation advances to the House for consideration.

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For more information on work zone safety, visit the campaign website.

Work Zone Crash Trends

·   In 2019, the most recent year for which data are available, 842 people died in highway work zone crashes compared to 757 the year before. The 11.2-percent increase is the largest percentage increase of highway work zone fatalities this century.

• On average, large trucks are overrepresented in work zone crashes. In 2019, over 33 precent of fatal crashes involved Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) and compared to the year before, the U.S. saw a 16 percent increase in the number of fatal work zone crashes involving large trucks or buses.

From 2018 to 2019 fatal work zone crashes:

• Involving a rear-end collision increased by 29 percent
• where speeding was a factor increased by nearly 40 percent 
• involving worker fatalities at road construction sites increased from by nearly 9 percent

Sharing the Road

·         Work zones present challenges for truck drivers – narrowed lanes, sudden stops, traffic pattern shifts, and uneven road surfaces can lead to crashes and fatalities if they are not prepared and alert. Plan your route, reduce speed, stay alert, and do your part while traveling through work zones.

·         Large blind spots, long stopping distances, and size constraints make maneuvering large trucks and buses in work zones particularly challenging. Passenger vehicles should be mindful that CMV drivers need to take extra precaution when driving through these areas.

·         Pay close attention to road workers and flaggers – give them extra room, always slow when approaching them, and be prepared to stop if necessary.

How to Drive Safely Through Work Zones

·         There are plenty of resources available to research your routes and check for upcoming work zones. Make sure you know of any road work before embarking on your route and when possible, use detours to avoid having to pass through these areas.

·         Reduce speed while traveling through work zones, paying close attention to signs and signals.  

·         Be aware of passenger vehicle drivers around you, who may not be aware of commercial vehicle driving challenges, including large blind spots and longer stopping distances.

·         When approaching lane closures, move into the open lane as soon as possible – pay close attention to vehicles around you that could be in your blind spot.

·         Rear-end crashes are common in work zones – obey all speeds, avoid distractions and maintain extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you at all times.

FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY COMPLIANCE SEMINARS In support of its mission to improve truck and bus safety on our nation's highways, the FMCSA Pennsylvania Division will be hosting 3 different FREE educational seminars designed to help carriers familiarize themselves with important safety programs impacting the motor carrier industry.

June 3, 2021 - Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH)

June 8, 2021 - DataQ and Work Zone Safety

June 10, 2021 - Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)

See attached flyer for complete details.

Each session will run from 9:00am – 10:00am EST. 

Registration Link https://forms.gle/h7UMxZ7ZRPdJmz7A9

Any questions please email the FMCSA Pennsylvania at: [email protected]

Hershey, Pa. -- The PMTA Road Team visited the Pennsylvania State Police Academy on Friday, April 16 for the academy's commercial vehicle familiarization program.

PMTA would like to thank the following members for their participation.

CLI Transport
H.R. Ewell
New Enterprise Stone and Lime
Milton Trans
Pennsy Supply
R.H. Crawford
UPS
Walmart
XPO Logistics

Click the photo below for more pictures from the event. 

January -- Richard Reese, Vorzik Transport

Richard Reese, of Pittston is the Driver of the Month for January 2020. Reese has been driving professionally since 1977 and has been with Vorzik since 2005. He has recorded 2.7 million miles in his career with more than 700,000 of them in the city. He has never had an accident and has been honored with 8 consecutive Safe Driving Awards from Vorzik and a 5-year Safe Driver Award from FedEx Ground.

“Richard is our most experienced and safest driver at our Scranton Facility, and he is the go-to driver for truck inspections and road tests for new drivers,” said Dale Knox, the Safety Specialist for Vorzik. “Always safety conscious, Richard routinely sends the Safety Department pictures of any problem he sees wrong with our equipment, and then helps us solve problems so the trucks are ready for the road.”

He is married to Doreen and they have a son named Brian. Reese enjoys showing cars and car shows and photography, which he can do at a professional level.

February – Troy Wolf, A&S Kinard

Troy Wolf, of Gardners, is the February 2020 Driver of the Month. He has been behind the wheel for 26 years and has logged more than 1.5 million miles. He has not had an accident in more than 14 years and has twice won the Flatbed Division in the Pennsylvania Truck Driving Championships. In 2002, Wolf was named the Driver of the Year for Beverage Transportation and he was the Driver of the Month for A&S Kinard in January of 2018.

“He is a safe, experienced, professional, dependable driver,” said Dana Bollinger, Director of Safety for A&S Services Group. “Troy’s distinguished trucking career began 26 years ago. In that time, he has been involved in one, non-preventable accident giving him an astonishing 1.5 million safe driving miles. The motive for this distinguished record is the fact that Troy holds safety as his top priority 100 percent of the time.”

Troy and his wife Tracey have two sons, Justin and Jared four grandchildren; Sladen, Grayson, Gabrielle and Shane. In his free time, he enjoys singing with St. John’s Lutheran Church, hunting and practicing for the TDCs. He is also a member of Union Hook & Ladder #33, his local volunteer fire company where he mostly assists with fundraising.

March – Jose D. Echegoyen, Sauder Transport Company

Jose D. Echegoyen, of Manheim, has been named the March 2020 Driver of the Month. He has been driving professionally for 25 years, all for Sauder Eggs. He has driven nearly two million accident-free miles. He was the employee of the month in October of 97 and the 1997 Employee of the Year for Sauder.

“Jose, or ‘Danny’ as we call him, always shows true professionalism and courtesy, not only with his peers but also with customers,” said Luis Gonzalez, Director of Transportation for Sauder Transport Company. “We constantly get positive feedback about his positive attitude and character. He is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure the job gets done.”

Echegoyen enjoys going to the beach, fishing and spending time with his family when he’s not on the road.

April – Jeff Reed, R.H. Crawford, Inc.

The Driver of the Month for April is Jeff Reed, of Littlestown. Reed has been driving professionally since 2001 and has been with R.H. Crawford since October of 2017. In that time he has driven more than 1.8 million miles, all in the city, and was only involved in one accident when he was struck while parked. He was awarded with a 1-Year Safe Driving award with R.H. Crawford.

“Jeffrey Reed has a very upbeat personality and a safe driving record, a winning combination,” said Abby Nace, Safety Director for R.H. Crawford. “Jeff’s can-do attitude has quickly made him a favorite with dispatch. Jeff’s professionalism is seen with his accident-free record and spotless truck inside and out. The mechanics are eager to work on his truck because Jeff always takes great care of the equipment.”

Reed enjoys working on cars and his motorcycle in his free time. He’s very handy around the house and enjoys gardening and home improvement projects.

May – Charlie Wagner Jr, Pitt Ohio

Charlie Wagner Jr., of Phoenixville, is the Driver of the Month for May. He has been behind the wheel professionally since 1986 and has been with Pitt Ohio since 1989. He has recorded more than 3.3 million miles and was only involved in one accident when an impaired driver struck him in 2016. He has earned the One-, two- and three-million safe miles awards for Pitt Ohio and was a Driver of the Month in 2006.

“When reviewing Charlie’s 30-year history at Pitt Ohio you could say he is the type of driver that is willing to volunteer his time and talent and readily accepts any assignment regardless of weather conditions or day of the week,” said Dean Yockey, Manager of Training and Development for Pitt Ohio.  “In addition to a perfect driving record, Charlie received many DOT inspections without a violation and 2 Bendix video events; both categorized as good defensive driving. Charlie’s commitment to highway safety is second to none and his driving record proves that he takes that responsibility seriously each and every day.  In addition, Charlie has helped others when stranded or when injured during an accident.”

Wagner enjoys fishing, hiking, camping and spending time with his two sons Clayton and Kyle.

June – Craig Marple, PGT Trucking, Inc

Craig Marple, of Johnstown, is the Driver of the Month for June. Marple has been driving professionally since 2003 and has been with PGT since 2010. He has driven more than 1.5 million miles and more than 1 million for PGT. He has never been involved in an accident and has earned a One Million Mile Safe Driving award as well as the 2016 PGT Company Driver of the Year Award.

“Mr. Craig Marple’s no-frills, to-the-point attitude is a valuable driver resource that we have come to rely on when trying to understand a driver’s perspective on incidents at PGT,” said Paul Vargo, Executive Driver at PGT. “He somehow manages to give criticism, then spin it around with a positive and support response, most of the time in the same sentence! PGT Trucking is a better company because of Mr. Marple’s talents. Craig approaches all tasks with a smile and positive outlook both new and seasoned drivers should strive to emulate.”

In his free time he likes to work on restoring a 1997 Ford pickup with his son Ian, spend time with his family and work on home improvement projects.

July – Timothy Cubbon, PGT Trucking, Inc.

Timothy Cubbon, of Seneca, is the Driver of the Month for July. Cubbon has been a professional driver since January of 2006 and has been with PGT since 2008. He has driven more than 1.4 million miles without any accident, with more than 1.2 million of them coming with PGT. He won the 2012 and 2013 Independent Driver of the Year Award, a One-Million Mile Safe Driver Award and is on the Independent Contractor Advisory Board.

“Corporate members of PGT can attest to multiple occasions when Tim has stepped up and assisted other drivers with their load securement. He will not hesitate to speak up and do what is right with public safety in mind,” said Vargo. “Several years after he leased on at PGT, Tim took his own personal time to attend our orientation again to give his feedback to help us improve the experience for our onboarding drivers. Time has also volunteered to be an instructor at various Safety Team Building Events.”

When he’s not driving, Cubbon enjoys riding his Harley, spending time with his children Connor and Tatum, roller skating, fishing and swimming.

August – Ryan Weaver, Lester R. Summers, Inc.

Lester R. Summers’ Ryan Weaver, of Ephrata, is the Driver of the Month for August. Weaver has been a professional driver since 2008 and has been with Summers since 2011. In that time, he has logged more than 775,000 miles and has had just one preventable accident due to an insecure load shifting at a red light in 2017. He has been a member of Summers’ OSHA Safety Committee for three years.

“Ryan Weaver is an excellent representative of Lester R. Summers, Inc., as well as the transportation industry,” said Carla Brodbeck, Director of Safety of Lester R. Summers. “He is always professional, consistent and never gets upset about anything. Ryan is one of the nicest drivers and is easy to work with…Ryan has hauled the biggest and best super loads in the past, but currently has chosen to haul dump trailers to have more family time.”

His hobbies include hunting, fishing and riding his dual sport motorcycle.

September – Troy Mohney, ABF Freight

Troy Mohney, of Harrisburg, has been named the September Driver of the Month. Mohney has been behind the wheel since October of 2001 and has been with ABF Freight for his entire career. He has driven more than 1.8 million miles without a single accident. He has earned a One-Million Mile Safe Driving Award. He once assisted a motorist that rolled their vehicle on I-78 and ensured her safety until the police arrived.

“Troy is a class act and very responsible driver,” said Michael Hogan of ABF. “He is always making sure things are done right the first time, and takes safety very seriously as reflected by his impeccable record. Troy consistently goes out of his way to help the company accomplish unforeseen tasks and goals. As a part of the Yard Focus Group created by ABF Carlisle, Troy actively participates in making the company a better and safer place to work. I can’t think of a better person, both in and outside of work, to deserve this award.”

When he’s off the clock, he enjoys wife Laura and their dogs, gardening, hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles.

October – Jan Michael Keith, Lester R. Summers, Inc

Jan Keith, of Reinholds, is the Driver of the Month for October. He has been professionally driving since 1977 and has been with Lester R. Summers since 1993. In his 43 years on the road he has driven more than 3.2 million miles and been involved in just three accidents, but not a single preventable accident in the last 28 years. He has earned a 23-year safe driving award from Summers.

“Jan is an excellent representative for our company and our industry,” said Brodbeck. “He is always ready to help others when asked. Jan is known to get the job done and do it right. A top driver, he volunteers for jobs that others don’t want to do.”

Keith and his wife Susan have two children, Michelle and Tim, and in his free time, Keith enjoys camping, racing, motorcycle riding and any kind of travel. He is active with his church and also enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.

November – Ronald DeVor Jr., Lester R. Summers, Inc

Ronald DeVor Jr., of Red Lion, is the Driver of the Month for November. Devor has been a professional driver since 1989 and has been with Summers since 2016. He has won a Safe Driving Award for each of the last three years with Lester R. Summers.

“Ronald DeVor has been with our company since July of 2016, but has been in our industry for almost 30 years,” said Brodbeck. “He has proven to be an asset to our company not only with his safety record, but he likes to work, and is always willing to try new things. His easy-going manner makes him great to work with, and he is always very nice and respectful to everyone.”

DeVor once saved his girlfriend’s life be performing CPR and also once ran into a burning building to help save his neighbors. “In an emergency, Ron is one who runs toward danger rather than away from it,” said Brodbeck.

When he’s not driving, DeVor enjoys landscaping, grilling and spending time with his children Bobbi Jo, Courtney and Randy, and his girlfriend Becky Vaughn.

December – Craig Smith, Lester R. Summers, Inc

The Driver of the Month for December is Craig Smith, of Akron. He has been driving professionally since 1996 and has been with Summers since April of 1999. He has driven a 3-axle van, a tanker and a flatbed in his career and he has not had an accident since 1996, his first year on the road.

“Craig Smith has been a driver in our industry for 24 years, 21 of them at Lester R. Summers. He’s a very safety-conscious individual, who is liked by everyone,” Brodbeck said. “His versatility is an asset to our company. He’s been described as a ‘very nice guy.” On the quiet side, Craig comes to work, does his job well and returns home to his family which consists of his mother, Jen, and his sister Jennifer.”

When he’s not driving, he enjoys flying drones and target practice.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportations is providing this letter to partners as a courtesy reminder that expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits will end after the current extension expires for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

The final extension is currently in place for the following products’ expiration dates:

• The expiration date for a commercial learner’s permit scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2021, is extended through March 31, 2021.
• The expiration date for commercial driver licenses scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2021, is extended through March 31, 2021.

Customers with commercial products that are covered by the extension but have not yet been renewed are encouraged to renew their CDL products as soon as possible by March 31, 2021.

No further extensions will be given on these products.

Additionally, expiration extension deadlines on non-commercial driver license, photo identification cards, learner’s permits and camera cards ended on August 31, 2020.

For a list of open driver license and photo license centers and the services provided, as well as their hours of operation, please visit www.dmv.pa.gov.

For any further questions, please feel free to reach out to PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services at 717-787-2977.

With the purchase of any Shell Rotella Commercial vehicle oil change between March 1 and April 30, 2021 at a Goodyear CSTC oil change location, Shell Oil is offering a $50 e-Reward to be paid to the driver.

How does this work?

• The fleet’s driver gets a Shell Oil change at a Goodyear Commercial oil change location (listed on the back of this attachment) between March 1 and April 30, 2021.
• The driver will receive a copy of the national account receipt or local book delivery receipt as proof of a Shell Oil change purchase from Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service Centers.
• To request for the $50 e-Reward, the truck driver must visit the Shell Rotella’s website: rotella.com/HDIpromo (and follow directions as provided by Shell on the attachment).

 

Who is eligible for the promotion?

• Any driver who purchases a SHELL oil change either for a local book, national account, or as an independent contractor of a fleet is eligible to receive the $50 e-Reward from Shell.
• The $50 E-Reward will be paid by Shell to the DRIVER who submits the request for the e-Reward (e-Reward will not be paid to the fleet or national account).

 

Important Notes:

• This is a Shell Oil program. Shell is providing the $50 e-Reward Card to eligible drivers.
• The $50 e-Reward will be sent to the driver via email in 6-8 weeks by Shell Oil.
• Please direct customers with any questions to Shell Rotella’s website: rotella.com/HDIpromo
• Questions may also be directed to the Shell representative:

 

Kellie King Alexander

Shell Oil Products US

Cell: 760.815.2380

[email protected]

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking the public's feedback on winter services through an online survey found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PDWinter2021.

"PennDOT is proud of our winter operations and communications," said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. "The results from this survey will help us measure public expectations and identify education opportunities."

The survey is available through April 6 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous.

The 12-question survey asks respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roadways, how they rank snow-removal priorities, and how they rate PennDOT's winter services.

Respondents are also asked how they receive PennDOT roadway information, and whether or how they use the state's 511PA traveler information services. During the winter, www.511PA.com offers its standard traffic and incident information while adding PennDOT plow-truck locations, winter roadway conditions, and other services.

At any time, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

As construction season begins, information on projects occurring or being bid this year is viewable at www.projects.PennDOT.gov. Visit the "Regional Offices" page at www.PennDOT.gov to sign up for travel alerts in a specific area.

Governor Tom Wolf today reiterated his commitment to phase out Pennsylvania’s gas tax, which is becoming an unreliable source for funding Pennsylvania’s vast transportation network. To make this possible and to further address the state’s transportation funding needs, the governor has also signed an Executive Order establishing the Transportation Revenue Options Commission, which will develop comprehensive funding recommendations for Pennsylvania’s large and aging infrastructure.

“Our economy, our communities, and our future rely on a strong transportation system that supports our safety and growth. We have more than $9 billion in annual unmet needs across our state-maintained transportation system alone. At the same time, Pennsylvania is relying too much on outdated, unreliable funding methods, and the federal government hasn’t taken meaningful action in decades,” Gov. Wolf said. “Phasing out the burdensome gas tax, coupled with seeking long-term reliable funding solutions that will keep pace with our infrastructure needs, deserves a close examination. Forming this bipartisan commission will bring multiple, bipartisan voices to the table to ensure that we can examine reliable, sustainable revenue solutions to address both near-term and long-term funding needs.”

Pennsylvania has one of the largest state-owned transportation networks in the country, with nearly 40,000 miles of roads and over 25,400 bridges under its direct purview. PennDOT also oversees aviation, rail freight, public transportation, ports, pedestrian and bicycle programs.

In 2019, the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) identified major risks to transportation funding such as reduced fuel revenues, unpredictable federal funding, and legislative changes to reduce commitments.

PennDOT’s latest assessment places the annual gap of its needs in all modes and facilities at $9.3 billion, growing to an annual $14.5 billion gap by 2030.

Further, as more fuel-efficient cars and technologies are created, reliance on the gas tax for state revenue is less and less dependable. Any phase out of the gas tax will need to be coupled with new or replacement revenue.

The Transportation Revenue Options Commission is comprised of transportation, economic, and community stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including majority and minority leaders from the House and Senate Transportation and Appropriations committees. PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian will serve as commission chair.

The commission will have its first meeting by March 25 and a report of commission activities and funding options will be submitted to the Governor before Aug. 1, 2021.

The following individuals were invited to join the commission, with additional representatives from transportation’s varied stakeholders to be invited before the first meeting:

• Rep. Stan Saylor, Chair, House Appropriations Committee;
• Rep. Matthew Bradford, Minority Chair, House Appropriations Committee;
• Sen. Pat Browne, Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee;
• Sen. Vincent Hughes, Minority Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee;
• Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee;
• Sen. John Sabatina, Minority Chair, Senate Transportation Committee;
• Rep. Tim Hennessey, Chair, House Transportation Committee;
• Rep. Mike Carroll, Minority Chair, House Transportation Committee;
• Gene Barr, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry;
• Carl Belke, Keystone State Railroad Association (KSRRA);
• Becky Bradley, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission;
• Sarah Clark Stuart, Pennsylvania Pedalcycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee;
• Howard Cohen, Temple University, Public-Private Transportation Partnerships Board;
• Mark Compton, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission;
• Patricia Cowley, Pennsylvania Bus Association;
• Secretary Dennis Davin, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development;
• Ronald Drnevich, State Transportation Commission;
• Secretary Cindy Dunn, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources;
• Colonel Robert Evanchick, Pennsylvania State Police;
• Rich Fitzgerald; Allegheny County Executive;
• James Harper Jr., Laborers’ International Union of North America;
• Katherine Kelleman, Port Authority of Allegheny County;
• Amy Kessler, North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission;
• James Kunz, International Union of Operating Engineers;
• Mike Glezer, Wagman;
• Jeffrey L. Iseman, Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council;
• Robert Latham, Associated Pennsylvania Constructors;
• Brock Myers, Alan Myers;
• Secretary Patrick McDonnell, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection;
• Rebecca Oyler, Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association;
• Secretary Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture;
• Leslie Richards, Southeastern Public Transit Authority;
• Shawna Russell, Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association;
• Dave Sanko, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors;
• Bob Shaffer, Aviation Advisory Committee;
• Leeann Sherman, American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania;
• Karl Singleton, Pennsylvania Diversity Coalition;
• Secretary Jen Swails, Office of Budget;
• Andrew Swank, Swank Construction;
• Jerry Sweeney, Southeast Partnership for Mobility;
• Secretary Robert Torres, Pennsylvania Department of Aging; and,
• George Wolff, Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition.

“I am grateful to all the commission members for contributing their time and expertise to this critical issue,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We must work together to find sustainable, future-focused funding solutions that will keep Pennsylvanians moving.”

For more information about transportation funding in Pennsylvania, visit www.PennDOT.gov/funding.

Cambria, Cameron, Franklin, Lackawanna, Montour, Pike, Wayne, Westmoreland counties are new to the quarantine for 2021 

Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that eight counties have been added to Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone ahead of the 2021 spring hatch. With this addition, the quarantine for this invasive pest is now at 34 counties.

“The Spotted Lanternfly is more than a pest in the literal sense,” said Redding. “It’s wreaking havoc for home and business owners, kids who just want to play outside, Pennsylvania agriculture and the economy of the state we all call home. Whether you think it’s your job or not, we need every Pennsylvanian to keep their eyes peeled for signs of this bad bug – to scrape every egg mass, squash every bug, and report every sighting. We need to unite in our hatred for this pest for our common love: Pennsylvania.”

The new eight counties are not completely infested, but rather have a few municipalities with a known infestation. Cambria, Cameron, Franklin, Lackawanna, Montour, Pike, Wayne, and Westmoreland are new to the quarantine for 2021.

“When we expand the quarantine, our goal is to slow the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly,” said Dr. Ruth Welliver, director of the department’s Bureau of Plant Industry. “And we have slowed it. Last spring we quarantined 12 counties with isolated infestations, and those counties have not been overrun because of the heightened awareness a quarantine brings. With continued aggressive treatment and monitoring, and an actively engaged community, we can help ensure families and businesses in these new counties aren’t inconvenienced by widespread infestation.”

Quick, aggressive treatment to newly identified populations of Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania has been funded through the Rapid Response Disaster Readiness line of Governor Wolf’s Pennsylvania Farm Bill for the past two years. The 2021-22 PA Farm Bill proposes another $3 million to combat Spotted Lanternfly.

New to Pennsylvania’s fight against the Spotted Lanternfly this Spring is Lucky, a female German Shepherd, trained as a puppy at PennVet’s Working Dog Center to detect Spotted Lanternfly eggs, often in places humans can’t access. Lucky joined the department in November 2020 and helps to inspect businesses like nurseries, greenhouses, vehicle fleets, and log yards. She is the first dog in the nation trained to detect Spotted Lanternfly.

Businesses that operate in or travel through quarantined counties are required to obtain a Spotted Lanternfly permit. Homeowners with questions about treatment are encouraged to contact their local Penn State Extension office or learn about management, including approved sprays, online. Pennsylvanians who live inside the quarantine zone should also review and sign the Compliance Checklist for residents.

Since 2015, the department has received more than $34 million to combat Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania -- $20 million in federal funds and another $14 million in state investment. The department also awarded more than $260,000 in January for four priority research projects.

For more information on Spotted Lanternfly, visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly. For more about Governor Tom Wolf’s PA Farm Bill and its investments in a sustainable agriculture industry visit agriculture.pa.gov/pafarmbill.