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How Regional Coordination Is Helping to Move ‘Superloads’ to Homer City
By Mason Fish
SPC
October 13, 2026
By the time a piece of equipment bound for the Homer City Energy Campus reaches a road in Southwestern Pennsylvania, the majority of its journey is already behind it.
The equipment reflects a supply chain that stretches far beyond our region. Turbine components began their journey at GE Vernova’s facility in France, crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Mobile, AL, and then entered the nation’s inland waterway system. From Mobile, equipment traveled by barge through the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway, Mississippi River, Ohio River, and Allegheny River before reaching Schenley in Armstrong County. Only then can the “homestretch” of the journey finally begin.
This final portion may only cover a fraction of the total venture, but moving equipment of this size through Southwestern Pennsylvania presents an entirely different challenge. The first superload to leave Schenley last month measured 205 feet long, 17 feet wide and weighed 381 tons. Its path crossed Armstrong, Westmoreland and Indiana counties en route to its final destination in Homer City.
As the former Homer City Generating Station undergoes a major transformation, the series of deliveries is only just getting underway. The plant, once Pennsylvania’s largest coal burning power station, was permanently decommissioned in 2023 after nearly 55 years of operation. The site is now being redeveloped as the Homer City Energy Campus, which will include a large natural gas power generation facility designed in part to support datacenter development.
Getting the equipment there is an operation of its own.
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SPC is developing the regional plan for the next 25 years, and we want to hear from you.
Built to Thrive is the official Long-Range Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania, and it will help guide how our region invests funds now and in the future. The best way to get that right is to hear from the people who live, work, and get around here every day.
The survey only takes a few moments. Tell us which investments matter most to you and your community and help shape what comes next.
Take the Survey
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Fitzgerald's Viewpoint: Adult education is economic development
by Rich Fitzgerald
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
September 18, 2026
When we talk about economic development, the conversation usually focuses on attracting employers and creating jobs. Those priorities matter, but a strong economy also depends on having a workforce ready to fill those jobs. Without investing in people, we cannot build the workforce or create the economic growth our region needs.
Healthcare, medical technology, information technology, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades continue to grow across Pennsylvania. Many of these careers require education and training beyond high school, but not necessarily a four-year degree. Our region is fortunate to have strong pathways into these fields through apprenticeships, community colleges and job training programs such as Bidwell Training Center and Pittsburgh Gateways' Introduction to the Construction Trades.
Yet those programs are only part of the workforce development equation.
In western Pennsylvania, nearly 20% of adults lack the foundational reading, writing, math, digital or English language skills needed to enter training programs or advance in the workplace. These are the adults who turn to organizations like Literacy Pittsburgh, which provided free classes and tutoring to more than 3,200 adults in Allegheny and Beaver counties last year. Adult education programs help hardworking men and women who want to improve their employment prospects, support their families and contribute more fully to our economy and community.
Read the Full Editorial
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Gov. Josh Shapiro gives keynote speech at AI Horizons conference in Pittsburgh
Raquel Ciampi | WTAE | Sept 17, 2026
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke at Thursday's AI Horizons conference in Pittsburgh.
The conference brings together tech leaders, startups and innovators at Bakery Square to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on communities.
The AI Horizons conference
Joanna Doven, CEO of AI Strike Team and producer of AI Horizons, said the conversations over the next couple of days are focused not only on how AI can be used safely in daily life but also on sending a message to those leading AI innovation.
It was noted several times during the event that Pittsburgh is well-suited for this type of work, with the infrastructure to set an example for cities across the United States.
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Pittsburgh Regional Transit controls record diesel costs through long-term contracts
Ed Blazina | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Sept 29, 2026
You know how the sharp increase in fuel prices the past few months has ripped into your family budget with the 20 to 40 gallons you might buy each month.
And you’d think that would be many times worse for an agency such as Pittsburgh Regional Transit, which uses about 6.3 million gallons of diesel fuel each year.
But the record price for diesel hasn’t wrecked PRT’s finances yet because the agency locks in fuel costs through futures contracts that often extend for a year, helping it withstand sharp, short-term fluctuations. The goal is for the agency to keep fuel costs as flat as possible so it can stay close to the yearly budget, said Controller Pete Schenk.
“I’m not going to say we’re not going to be over budget,” Schenk said. “I expect we will be over for the second six months [of the fiscal year that started July 1]. As long as we can get [fuel], we’re OK.”
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RAD board proposes nearly $135M in funding for parks, libraries and arts
By Megan Trotter | TribLive | Sept 29, 2026
The Allegheny Regional Asset District preliminary spending plans call for nearly $135.3 million in operating grants to 105 organizations and agencies across Allegheny County in 2027. The district, funded by a portion of the county’s 1% sales tax, estimates it will receive $142 million in new sales tax revenue to support the 2027 budget.
“This past year has seen tremendous growth, and we’re encouraged it will continue,” said RAD board member Casey Monroe. “Many of our assets continue to face difficult headwinds with rising costs that affect their ability to deliver on impactful missions.”
Of the proposed budget, the largest share — 33.9% — would go toward parks and trails. Libraries would receive 30.8%, followed by arts and culture at 11.8%, sports and civic facilities at 10.5%, regional attractions at 8.1% and transportation at 2.2%.
The remaining 2.7% would support partnerships and initiatives, project grants and RAD administration costs.
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The ‘bathtub’ section of the Parkway East floods regularly. Here’s how PennDOT plans to fix it.
Ed Blazina | PIttsburgh Post Gazette | Sept 26, 2026
The problem sounds simple enough: Stop water from flowing over a wall along the Monongahela Wharf and flooding the section of the Parkway East known as the “bathtub” in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Build a higher wall?
The problem is more complex than that.
So much so that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and consultant CDM Smith have spent more than five years designing a solution that contractors will begin implementing through a year-long project that starts Thursday. The work will cause delays for the 43,000 motorists who use that area every day.
Crews will begin installing traffic control signs about the project overnight Thursday and Friday, when rolling single-lane closures between the inbound Oakland exit and the Fort Pitt Bridge will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
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Southwest adding 3 nonstop destinations from Pittsburgh International Airport next summer
Madeline Bartos | CBS News |
October 5, 2026
Southwest Airlines is adding three new nonstop destinations from Pittsburgh International Airport next summer.
The airline will start Saturday service from Pittsburgh to Panama City, Florida; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Savannah, Georgia for the summer season.
In response to demand, the airport says Southwest will also increase frequencies on routes to Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Cancun, Mexico; Tampa, Florida; and Las Vegas, Nevada, next summer. Florida is one of the largest markets for Pittsburgh, with more than one in four passengers traveling to the Sunshine State, the airport says.
Southwest first started service with four destinations from Pittsburgh in 2005, which the airport says marked the beginning of its pivot from a connecting hub to an origin-and-destination airport.
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Pittsburgh Water reaches final push to eliminate residential lead service lines
Elisa Schwartzmiller | WPXI-TV | October 08, 2026
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Water has completed approximately 88% of its residential lead service line program as of Oct. 1, with a goal of replacing all remaining lines by the end of 2027.
The work is part of a decade-long initiative to remove lead from water infrastructure across the utility’s approximately 71,000 residential service connections.
Crews working neighborhood by neighborhood have replaced 16,264 public lead service lines and 12,533 private lead service lines across the service area. Pittsburgh Water estimates its total investment in lead service line removal will approach $400 million by the time the effort is finished.
Mayor Corey O’Connor praised the project as a major step for municipal infrastructure and public health.
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Transit Operators Committee
Wednesday, October 14·10:00 – 10:00am
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, 42 21st St Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA
The Transit Operators Committee (TOC) provides technical assistance to our ten member county region by hosting a meeting once a month. At these meetings, topics like advancing programs and projects by providing public transportation options, regional transit coordination, alternatives to fixed-route transit service, and economic opportunities linked to land use and transit-oriented development. Committee membership consists of our public transportation providers, the region’s vanpool sponsor, CommuteInfo, and a variety of transportation management associations.
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Transportation Technical Committee
Thursday, October 15·10:00 – 10:00am
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, 42 21st St Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA
The Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) meets monthly to provide recommendations to our organization’s Board of Commissioners regarding transportation plans, needs, issues, and opportunities for the region. The Committee also addresses the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) (short range) project amendments and administrative actions every month. These are short-range transportation projects that are under review and will be implemented at some point in the near future. The Committee receives updates from federal and state agencies on pertinent transportation issues, updates from our staff members on relevant transportation planning activities, and reviews upcoming events that are of interest to committee members.
In terms of membership, the Committee includes the planning directors from all ten counties in our coverage area, as well as the City of Pittsburgh. Additionally, representatives from PennDOT’s Central Office, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) attend the meeting. These agencies/organizations receive a vote when matters are brought up that require a vote.
Non-voting members of the Committee include PennDOT’s district offices, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Allegheny County Bureau of Air Pollution Control.
Note: Members of the public are encouraged to attend, especially individuals that have an interest in transportation planning activities.
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Transit Operators Committee
Wednesday, November 4·10:00 – 10:00am
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, 42 21st St Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA
The Transit Operators Committee (TOC) provides technical assistance to our ten member county region by hosting a meeting once a month. At these meetings, topics like advancing programs and projects by providing public transportation options, regional transit coordination, alternatives to fixed-route transit service, and economic opportunities linked to land use and transit-oriented development. Committee membership consists of our public transportation providers, the region’s vanpool sponsor, CommuteInfo, and a variety of transportation management associations.
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TDM Partners Forum
Thursday, November 5·10:00 – 10:00am
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, 42 21st St Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA
The Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Partners’ Forum meetsquarterly to discuss smarter and cleaner ways to travel, including carpooling,public transit, biking, walking, and ridesharing. The forum is open to the publicand brings together community members, businesses, and government groupsto share ideas and improve transportation in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
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Transportation Technical Committee
Thursday, November 12·10:00 – 10:00am
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, 42 21st St Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA
The Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) meets monthly to provide recommendations to our organization’s Board of Commissioners regarding transportation plans, needs, issues, and opportunities for the region. The Committee also addresses the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) (short range) project amendments and administrative actions every month. These are short-range transportation projects that are under review, and will be implemented at some point in the near future. The Committee receives updates from federal and state agencies on pertinent transportation issues, updates from our staff members on relevant transportation planning activities, and reviews upcoming events that are of interest to committee members.
In terms of membership, the Committee includes the planning directors from all ten counties in our coverage area, as well as the City of Pittsburgh. Additionally, representatives from PennDOT’s Central Office, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) attend the meeting. These agencies/organizations receive a vote when matters are brought up that require a vote.
Non-voting members of the Committee include PennDOT’s district offices, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Allegheny County Bureau of Air Pollution Control.
Note: Members of the public are encouraged to attend, especially individuals that have an interest in transportation planning activities.
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