Your SEDA-COG MPO News & Updates | |
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Welcome to the winter edition of Pathways, a newsletter covering activities related to the SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The SEDA-COG MPO is the official transportation planning organization for eight central Pennsylvania counties: Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union.
We hope you enjoy our newsletter! Stay tuned for future editions on a quarterly basis.
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Upcoming Meetings & Events | |
Below are upcoming transportation meetings and events being held in the region. Some meetings are conducted virtually or as hybrid meetings. MPO meetings have transitioned to hybrid meetings that enable in-person or virtual participation; meeting recordings are posted on the SEDA-COG YouTube channel. PennDOT LTAP offers in-person classes, along with a number of virtual classes and virtual drop-in sessions.
Jan. 22, 2025 – SEDA-COG Board of Directors Meeting
Jan. 24, 2025 – SEDA-COG MPO Meeting
Feb. 12, 2025 – Middle Susquehanna Active Transportation Committee Meeting
Feb. 26, 2025 – SEDA-COG Board of Directors Meeting
Mar. 26, 2025 – SEDA-COG Board of Directors Meeting
Mar. 28, 2025 – SEDA-COG MPO Meeting
We will post updated meeting information on our website. For more information, or for links to participate in virtual meetings, contact the SEDA-COG Transportation Planning staff. SEDA-COG MPO meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings can be found here.
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Latest Trail Demand Report Finalized | |
The SEDA-COG MPO is pleased to release the latest trail usage data from its bicycle and pedestrian counts program. We collected use data
during 2023-24 for the Lock Haven Levee Trail and Bald Eagle Valley Trail networks. The report for the data was developed as an interactive Esri StoryMap.
The count data in this report represent the number of uses or trips, not individual users or visitors. All infrared trail counters undercount when people travel side-by-side or in tight groups on a trail. Therefore, the counters yield estimates rather than absolutes. The data collected on regional trails can be analyzed to determine peak usage times, trail use pattern changes, and inform decision-making by SEDA-COG MPO, trail managers, state agencies, conservation groups, and other organizations related to transportation and recreation investments.
The SEDA-COG MPO is collaborating with organizations in Columbia & Montour Counties to continue the SEDA-COG MPO Bicycle & Pedestrian Counts Program trail use counts for the 2024-2025 program cycle.
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Coordinated Transit Plan Update | |
MPO Adopts New Coordinated Transit Plan | |
The SEDA-COG MPO adopted its new Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (Coordinated Plan) on Nov. 22, 2024. The SEDA-COG MPO and Williamsport MPO prepare this as a joint Coordinated Plan to satisfy planning requirements and use resources more efficiently. The SEDA-COG MPO partnered with Rockland Planning and Gannett Fleming consultants to develop the new Plan, which serves as a blueprint for improving human services transportation in the region.
While the Coordinated Plan considers all public transit needs, an emphasis is placed on the needs of seniors, low-income populations, and persons with disabilities. Strategies to overcome primary regional needs were based on extensive stakeholder outreach and data analysis. The diverse strategies are grouped into three main categories:
- Coordinate Transportation Services and Resources
- Mobility
- Communication, Training, and Organizational Support
The Coordinated Plan strategies will inform and be integrated into the MPO's Long-Range Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program. The Coordinated Plan will be reevaluated on a regular basis to meet the evolving needs of the region, but is generally updated every 5 years. Click on the below button to download the full 2024 Coordinated Plan. Click here to access the companion StoryMap.
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FFY 2024 Obligated Projects | |
Annual Listing of Federally Obligated Projects Published | |
The SEDA-COG MPO has published its Annual Listing of Federally Obligated Projects for Federal Fiscal Year 2024. This includes all federally-funded transportation projects in the SEDA-COG MPO region that were obligated during FFY 2024 (Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024). These are generally projects that have been recently completed, are under construction, or are nearing construction, where federal transportation funds have been officially committed with a signed project agreement.
MPOs are responsible for maintaining the metropolitan transportation planning process and must publicize an annual listing of projects for which federal transportation funds were obligated in the prior fiscal year. During FFY 2024, the SEDA-COG MPO had a total of 76 obligations worth $136,460,679.
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding | | |
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Federal Transportation Funding Resources | |
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) reauthorized surface transportation programs through Fiscal Year 2026. In doing so, the BIL devotes $550 billion through 2026 for new federal investment in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit, water infrastructure, resilience, and broadband. The Federal Highway Administration has a comprehensive BIL resource website available here.
Some federal transportation discretionary grant programs currently open for applications include:
A variety of recent funding resources have been developed for local governments and other BIL program applicants:
We will continue to monitor guidance related to the BIL and report updates in this newsletter.
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Active Transportation Committee Update | | |
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The Middle Susquehanna Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was adopted by the SEDA-COG MPO in May 2019. To help implement this plan, the SEDA-COG MPO and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership formed a Middle Susquehanna Active Transportation Committee. The Committee's mission is to enhance quality of life in the Middle Susquehanna Valley through the development of a regional network of walkable and bikeable communities and the promotion of a bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly culture. The Committee and its Steering, Outreach, and Implementation work groups are diligently laboring on multiple fronts to implement the Plan's action items, goals, and overarching vision.
A few recent successes include:
- Helping communities pursue funding from DCNR and WalkWorks grant opportunities to further active transportation in our region;
- Updating bike/ped priority project lists and mapping;
- Analyzing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and potential funding for trails and other bike/ped facilities;
- Updating member lists and arranging Committee meetings;
- Updating bike/ped facilities webmaps;
- Developing an online Esri Hub site for the 2019 Plan.
- Preparing bike crash report cards and bike/ped safety PSAs.
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WalkWorks is an initiative between the PA Dept. of Health and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center that supports the development and
adoption of active transportation plans or related policies. WalkWorks has announced its ninth round of assistance for municipalities and other governmental bodies to assist with the development of Active Transportation Plans. These plans are essential to establish activity-friendly routes that connect people to everyday destinations, thereby expanding opportunities for physical activity and improving public health.
The 2025 funding announcement can be found here. Applications are due on Mar. 21, 2025. Register for a Feb. 4 informational webinar about the funding opportunity here.
| The SEDA-COG MPO has kicked off the update to its Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The LRTP identifies how the MPO will advance a safe and efficient multimodal transportation system that includes highways, bridges, public transportation, active transportation (bike/ped) facilities, railroads, and airports. The LRTP update will serve as a blueprint to guide future transportation investments in the region for the next 25 years. The MPO is working with Michael Baker International consultants for public involvement activities and special technical analysis. Public input has been solicited through multiple means, including a survey, four listening sessions, stakeholder interviews, public meetings, and pop-up events in fall 2024. More opportunities will occur when the draft plan is released for comment. An interactive project site can be found here. | |  |
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PennDOT is currently developing the 2025 Pennsylvania State Rail Plan, which will serve as a guide for the advancement of the Pennsylvania freight and passenger rail system. The 2025 update will replace the 2020 State Rail Plan and provide updates on rail development activity and information to support further investment in the rail system. It will include recommendations for policies, programs, processes, and projects to improve rail safety and service. The plan will evaluate and document passenger and freight rail needs over the next 20 years to guide investments. PennDOT held a virtual public meeting on Dec. 10, 2024. The Pennsylvania State Rail Plan update will be finalized by summer 2025.
To learn more, click here.
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By popular request, rabbittransit's on-demand microtransit service called Stop Hopper now serves Berwick. This expansion was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting event on Dec. 6, 2024. Use of the Stop Hopper is only $2.00 per one-way trip and is FREE for seniors with a registered Free Fare ID card.
Getting started is easy: download the free Stop Hopper app on a smartphone or call 1-800-632-9063 to request a ride. Service runs Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM.
Stop Hopper service is also available in the MPO region for the following zones: Danville-Bloomsburg, Lewisburg-Milton, and Selinsgrove-Sunbury.
To learn more, click here.
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SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.
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