Planning

​​PennDOT Connects

PennDOT is committed to bettering our transportation system and our communities through collaborative planning. We must find creative solutions to sustain and expand mobility throughout the Commonwealth. This means improving our planning process to reflect changing demographics and technological innovation. We are broadening the benefits we deliver and taking a more holistic approach to planning. We are tasking PennDOT staff and our planning partners to consider community needs at the beginning of the planning process to ensure the best allocation of our resources. PennDOT Connects will make our planning processes more efficient and cost-effective to the benefit of all Pennsylvanians. The full PennDOT Connects Policy (PDF) includes collaboration requirements and planning considerations, as well as the implementation timeline and more.

2025 Municipal Outreach Sessions

Enhance Your Transportation Planning

Free Resources & Municipal Support!  

Empower your municipality and its voice in local transportation: Join us for an interactive workshop where you can engage with PennDOT, collaborate with peers, and discover valuable resources to enhance your community.  

 Learn about:  

  • PennDOT One Map GIS Platform: The demo will provide an overview of PennDOT’s GIS platform to gather data to assist with local planning efforts.    
  • PennDOT Local Bridge Inventory: The demo will introduce PennDOT’s new inventory tool with information on local bridges.    
  • Free Transportation Planning Resources: The municipal outreach program has free one-on-one support, resources, newsletters, and tech sheets to support municipal transportation planning and land use development.   

 This workshop is intended for:  

  • Municipal officials, planners, and engineers.  
  •  Community leaders and advocates.  
  • Anyone interested in improving their local transportation systems.  

 Don't miss out on this chance to: 

  • Network with other municipalities, learn from their successes, and find areas for collaboration.  
  • Network with PennDOT and county planning staff.  
  • Ask questions about PennDOT projects in your area.  
  • Access free resources and expert support to achieve your goals.  

The municipal outreach/peer exchange sessions will consist of an interactive workshop that engages participants in peer exchange and idea-sharing. Municipalities will have the opportunity to interact with PennDOT, their local metropolitan planning organization or rural planning organization (MPO or RPO) staff, and one another.  

Attending a PennDOT Connects Municipal Outreach session is an opportunity for communities to make connections, learn about resources, and improve transportation projects.  

Note: The sessions will focus on the resources available to municipalities through the PennDOT Connects Municipal Outreach program and other sources and are not specific to projects on the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in PennDOT Districts.  

District 
Date 
Time 
Facility Address   
Session Recording / Registration Link
District 1
April 28, 2025
1:00 PM-3:00 PMVirtual and District 1 Office 255 Elm Street Oil City, PA 16301PennDOT District 1
District 2
May 1, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AMVirtual and District 2 Office 70 PennDOT Drive Clearfield, PA 16830
PennDOT District 2
District 3
May 12, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AM
All Virtual
PennDOT District 3
District 4
April 8, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AM
Virtual and District 4 Office 55 Keystone Industrial Park Dunmore, PA 18512
PennDOT District 4
District 5
March 27, 20251:00 PM-3:00 PM
Virtual and District 5 Office - 1002 Hamilton Street Allentown, PA 18101
PennDOT District 5
District 6 
April 14, 20259:00 AM-11:00 AMAll Virtual
PennDOT District 6
District 8
March 26, 2025
9:00 AM-11:00 AM
All Virtual
PennDOT District 8
District 9
April 1, 2025
1:00 PM-3:00 PMAll Virtual
PennDOT District 9
District 10
April 15, 2025
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Virtual and District 10 Office - 2550 Oakland Avenue Indiana, PA 15701
PennDOT District 10
District 11
March 25, 20251:00 PM-3:00 PM
All Virtual
PennDOT District 11
District 12 
April 9, 20251:00 PM-3:00 PM
Virtual and District 12 Office - 825 North Gallatin Avenue Ext. Uniontown, PA 15401-2105
PennDOT District 12

 Attendance Options noted for each district:  

·         In Person at District Office and Virtual (Go-To-Webinar)   

·         All Virtual (Go-To-Webinar)  

 Registration: To register, click on the Registration Link above for the session you want to attend.  

All sessions held at a district office will have a virtual attendance option through Go-To-Webinar. The sessions noted as all virtual will only be available through a virtual connection.   

2025 PennDOT Connects Outreach Agenda (PDF)

2025 PennDOT Connects Municipal Outreach Session PowerPoint – Coming soon 

PennDOT Connects Municipal Program Resources – Coming soon 

PennDOT Connects Planning Assistance  – Coming soon 

Guide for Developing IIJA/BIL Grant Proposals (PDF) 

Upcoming Drop-Ins:

​TBD

 

Past Drop-Ins:

Planning for Trucks 

May 9, 2024

From Noon to 1 p.m.

Is your community worried about increasing truck traffic on local roads? This session will explore opportunities to improve land use planning for development to mitigate the impact of trucks on your roads, as well as discuss ongoing truck traffic issues and potential solutions. Learn how to coordinate and work with your planning partners and neighboring communities to tackle tough truck issues.

Instructors: 

View a Recording of the Planning for Trucks in Your Community Drop-In

Broadband Ready Community Program 

March 21, 2024

From Noon to 1 p.m.

Is your community ready for broadband? Attend this drop-in and learn about the free resources available through the Broadband Ready Community Program (BBRC) for Pennsylvania municipalities. The BBRC program will provide participating communities with technical assistance and a “Broadband Ready Community" designation that will allow municipalities to showcase their willingness to work with public and private internet service providers.

Instructor: Theodore J. Ritsick, thritsick@pa.gov

View a Recording of the Broadband Ready Community Program Drop-In

PA Infrastructure Bank: Enhancing Infrastructure Development

March 14, 2024

From Noon to 1 p.m.
 
Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Infrastructure Development Through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank 
 
Uncover the power of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank (PIB) in our upcoming webinar. We will analyze the PIB's role in financing critical infrastructure projects and discuss its impact on economic development. Learn about successful PIB-funded initiatives and gain insights into optimizing your project proposals for enhanced chances of approval. Join us for an hour of strategic planning and actionable knowledge.
Instructors:
 
•Hugh McGowan hmcgowan@pa.gov 
 

View a Recording of the PIB Drop-In. ​

Utility Coordination 

February 8, 2024
From Noon to 1 p.m.
 
Coordination with Utilities—We’re All in the Right-of-Way Together  
 
This practical drop-in session will cover the keys to effective coordination between communities and the utilities that serve them. It will include some of the common causes of breakdown, and how to prevent such communication and coordination mishaps (and avoid the consequences). Participants will also have an opportunity to share their experiences and lessons learned. 
Instructors:

Revitalizing Spaces: Exploring Adaptive Reuse

January 11, 2024
From Noon to 1 p.m.

This session will discuss the transformative world of adaptive reuse in building and land development, providing an overview of the opportunities and challenges associated with repurposing existing structures and spaces. The instructors will explore the economic, environmental, and community benefits of adaptive reuse, emphasizing sustainability and the preservation of cultural heritage. Additionally, the drop-in will examine how thoughtful transportation planning can enhance the overall impact and viability of repurposed spaces, including discussion on transportation considerations that address the pivotal role of connectivity and accessibility.

Instructors:

 View a Recording of Revitalizing Spaces: Exploring Adaptive Reuse

 

Highway Occupancy Permit Basics for Municipalities

November 09, 2023
from Noon to 1 p.m.

 

Do you know what "HOP" is?  Do you know when one is required from PennDOT?  Do you get questions at your municipality about them?  If so, join PennDOT Connects for a drop-in session that will cover Highway Occupancy Basics and common questions municipalities may have regarding them. The discussion will cover when HOPs are required, the process of obtaining them for the different scenarios that may arise and provide guidance that can be passed along to property owners and/or others working within your municipality.       

Instructor: Christopher Zivkovich, Pennoni

View a Recording of Highway Occupancy Permit Basics for Municipalities​​

Pursuing Transportation Grant Funding 

October 12, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.
 

In 2021, the Lehigh Valley was awarded a $21.2 million RAISE grant - one of the few successful grant applications outside of major metros in Pennsylvania. Hear from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission staff on how they navigated the Federal Grant Application and the funding process. They will share their experience applying to the USDOT, advocating for their project, and working through project delivery challenges that came after their application was awarded. 

Instructor: Tracy Oscavich, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission 

View a Recording of Pursuing Transportation Grant Funding 
 

PennDOT Connects School Transportation Management

September 14, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.

Do you have safety issues around your schools? Are there conflicts between pedestrians, buses, bikes, and vehicles? This PennDOT Connects drop-in will discuss some of the issues around school pick-up and drop-off times, as well as some of the approaches to school transportation management and safety. The drop-in will discuss application of traffic control devices, transportation management techniques, assessment of school crosswalks, and school speed zones. Also, you can be a part of the discussion with questions about your situation and share your experiences with others. 

View a Recording of School Transportation Management

PennDOT Connects Developer Negotiations

August 10, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.

Many municipalities find that negotiating with developers over the cost of off-site improvement—whose need is generated, at least in part, by their proposed development—can be a very effective means of implementing improvements to the transportation system and other infrastructure. These negotiations are acceptable if conducted in accordance with the MPC and current case law. This PennDOT Connects webinar will discuss developer negotiations from different perspectives, and provide a forum for you to ask your questions.

Instructor: Patrick Wright, Pennoni Associates Inc.

View a recording of Developer Negotiations

PennDOT Connects Safe Routes to School Q&A Drop-In

June 15, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.

The current round for Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) applications is underway, with draft applications due July 17th, 2023.  This round we would like to encourage new and existing qualified candidates to submit applications for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects.  We will offer a brief overview of the TASA program and SRTS eligibilities, then demonstrate the SRTS related resources available to municipalities and applicants. The bulk of the time will be for an open Q&A discussion with attendees to address any concerns they may have over developing a SRTS project or applying for funding.

View a recording of SRTS Q&A

Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program

May 11, 2023
Noon to 1 p.m.

Metal truss bridges are symbols of Pennsylvania's industrial heritage, and according to many experts, the Commonwealth has one of the earliest, most diverse, and most significant population of metal truss bridges in the United States. However, these irreplaceable resources are quickly fading from our landscape. Metal truss bridges were not designed to carry modern traffic loads and they do not conform to modern safety standards, which often leads to them being replaced in favor of new bridges. Pennsylvania has lost nearly 50% of their metal truss bridges within the last twenty years alone. To address the accelerating loss of metal truss bridges, and to preserve Pennsylvania's transportation heritage for the future, PennDOT developed the Truss Management Plan. This laid the foundation for the Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program. 

This Program, created as part of the 2021 Twelve Year Plan (TYP) update, includes $18 million spread over a ten-year period to promote the rehabilitation of historic metal truss bridges. The Program is primarily focused on county and municipally owned bridges where owners desire to work collaboratively wit