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Below is information given to NADO by
The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission
541 58th Street, Altoona, PA 16602-1193
(814) 949-6500
Website: http://www.sapdc.org


The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), administers a progressive transportation planning program for the four rural counties of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in Altoona and Johnstown conduct these planning activities in the counties of Blair and Cambria. To achieve both national and state goals, the Commission has enlisted, as full partners, the four County Planning Commissions and the Blair and Cambria MPOs. The partnership has renewed several activities that foster regional transportation solutions.

The Commission, through its partners, provides:

• A rural transportation planning work program for the four counties not affiliated with the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) in Altoona and Johnstown
• Regional transportation priorities to PennDOT
• Candidate projects for the PennDOT Safety and Mobility Initiative
• Long Range Transportation Plan
• Transportation Enhancement Program
• Congestion Management System
• Major transportation project implementation on an as needed basis.

To meet the new planning requirements of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991(ISTEA) and the Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) legislation of 1998, the Commission has taken on new challenges and responsibilities in the development of transportation infrastructure.

For more information, please visit these websites: PennDOT web site and US DOT web site.

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SAPDC 1998-1999 Rural Transportation Planning Work Program

The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAPDC) will, for the seventh consecutive year, implement a proactive, regionally-based transportation planning program in Fiscal Year 1998-1999 (July 1, 1998 - June 30, 1999). This transportation planning program is based on the needs outlined by our planning partners, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the counties of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset.

The core program activities to be implemented for FY 1998-1999 include:

• System Maintenance and Preservation
• Traffic Monitoring System for Highways (TMS/H)
• Major Transportation Projects
• Technological Innovations
• Reengineering the Planning and Programming Process
• Program Administration/Coordination.

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Southern Alleghenies Rural Planning Organization (RPO) Guidelines

Introduction

The Southern Alleghenies Rural Transportation Organization, acting as the region's Rural Planning Organization (RPO), has been created to ensure the quality and integrity of rural transportation issues and projects within the region. The four-county region includes Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties.

1. The Organization identifies projects on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan, along with supporting projects that enhance regional economic development and the safe passage of goods and people in the region.
2. The Organization establishes transportation priorities for the four county region with regard to financial funding limits.
3. The Organization performs effective public involvement in the transportation planning and programming process.
4. The Organization fully recognizes and reviews transportation issues and concerns within the region.
5. The Organization selects transportation improvements with regard to the state's and the counties' priorities.

The Southern Alleghenies Rural Transportation Organization is comprised of the following committees: the Coordinating Committee and the Technical Committee.


Coordinating Committee

The Southern Alleghenies Rural Transportation Organization Coordinating Committee is responsible for reviewing and giving final approval on the Transportation Improvement Program as developed by the Technical Committee.

Representatives on the Coordinating Committee include:



Technical Committee

The Technical Committee's role is to provide input and expertise in the development of the Southern Alleghenies Regional Transportation Improvement Plans and Program, which will be drafted by SAPDC for presentation to this Committee. The diverse Technical Committee membership will result in expanded regional involvement and will ensure that the issues of the region are addressed.

Representatives on the Technical Committee will include:


Ex-officio members include elected officials, representatives from state and federal agencies, representatives from the Altoona and Johnstown area MPOs, engineering consultants, and private residents.

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Regional and County Transportation Facilities

Bedford County

• Total Public Highway Miles: 1,804
• Major Highways: PA Turnpike (I-76), Interstate 99, Interstate 70, U.S. Route 30
• Mass Transit Facilities: Rohrer, Mt. Carmel, Susquehanna Transit Company, Northumberland County Transit, Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Aging Agency
• Major Railroads: CSX Transportation, Inc., National RR Passenger Corporation, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company
• Airports: Bedford County Airport, Ickes Ultralight Airport

Blair County

• Total Public Highway Miles: 1,181
• Major Highways: Interstate 99, U.S. Route 22
• Mass Transit Facilities: AMTRAN, Fullington, Blair Senior Services, Inc., Greyhound
• Major Railroads: Allegheny Portage RR, AP Green Industries, Inc., Bellefonte Historical RR, Consolidated Rail Corporation, Everett RR Company Hollidaysburg and Roaring Spring RR Company, Morrison Cove RR, Inc., National RR Passenger Corporation, Nittany & Bald Eagle RR Company SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority
• Airports: Altoona-Blair County Airport, Blue Knob Valley Airport, Cove Valley Airport

Cambria County

• Total Public Highway Miles: 1,696
• Major Highways: U.S. Route 22, U.S. Route 219, U.S. Route 422
• Mass Transit Facilities: CCTA, CCTA-Incline, CCTA-Cart, Cambria Area Agency on Aging, Greyhound
• Major Railroads: Allegheny Portage RR, Cambria County Transit Authority, Conemaugh and Black Lick RR Company, Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., Johnstown America Corporation, National RR Passenger Corporation, R.J. Cornman RR Company/PA Lines, Inc.
• Airports: Ebensburg Airport, Johnstown-Cambria County Airport

Fulton County

• Total Public Highway Miles: 731
• Major Highways: PA Turnpike (I-76), Interstate 70, U.S. Route 30, U.S. Route 522
• Mass Transit Facilities: Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Aging Agency
• Major railroads: None
• Airports: None

Huntingdon County

• Total Public Highway Miles: 1,440
• Major Highways: PA Turnpike (I-76), U.S. Route 22, U.S. Route 522
• Mass Transit Facilities: Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Aging Agency, Greyhound, Consolidated Rail Corporation, East Broad Top RR and Coal Company, National RR Passenger Corporation, Railways to Yesterday-Rockhill Trolley Mus.
• Airport: Huntingdon County Airport

Somerset County

• Total Public Highway Miles: 2,278
• Major Highways: PA Turnpike (I-76), U.S. Route 30, U.S. Route 40, U.S. Route 219
• Mass Transit Facilities: Somerset County Transit, B&E RR, Inc., Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., Custom Coals Laurel, National RR Passenger Corporation, PBS Coal Company, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company
• Airport: Indian Lake Airport, Seven Springs Airport, Somerset County Airport

For more information on SAPDC's rural transportation planning activities,
please contact: