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The Lebanon County Metropolitan Planning Organization (LEBCO MPO) is seeking public input on transportation improvement projects involving bridges, highways and transit that are in the planning pipeline for the next several years.
Those projects are described in a set of documents titled “LEBCO MPO 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) update materials” that can be found on the MPO’s webpage. The LEBCO MPO approved the release of the update materials for public review at a recent meeting.
The two documents requiring updating by Sept. 30 are the Highway and Bridge TIP and the Transit TIP. Public comments on these will be accepted until May 17.
The MPO’s current TIP, which took effect in October 2024, ends Sept. 30, which is also when the Federal Transportation Bill ends. At this time, funding levels for FY 2027 and beyond are unknown. State and local transportation planners are using current funding levels to advance projects on the current TIP.
“The reality is we always have more needs than we have funding for, and a lot of our projects are carryovers from update to update,” Jon Fitzkee, senior transportation planner for the county, said in an email. “We have to do the best we can with the funding available to ensure that it goes to the best and highest important projects.”
Projects listed on a current TIP are “programmed,” meaning they have committed funding and will occur — but the work involved and timetable are subject to change as needed, Fitzkee said.
“Some projects are very clear-cut about what improvement work is needed,” he said. “But if a project is more complex, its specific activities and timeline may need to be adjusted.”
The draft TIP lists 30 active projects that will advance until completed. The largest group with 13 projects is “bridge improvement,” defined as “replacement, rehabilitation or preservation,” with the latter addressing minor deterioration that can lead to major problems if left unchecked, Fitzkee said. Engineering studies determine which of those improvements is the best option for each bridge.
Two of the 13 have estimated construction let dates – when the award is made and notice to proceed is given – in 2026, indicating a higher likelihood that some project-associated activities will be undertaken this year. A third has a let date of January 2027, also suggesting it likely will move forward.
But let dates can change depending upon bids received and progress of pre-construction work, Fitzkee said.
The three are the bridge replacement at North Lincoln Avenue over the Quittapahilla Creek in Lebanon city, with an estimated construction let date in July; bridge improvement on U.S. Route 322 over Killinger Creek, South Annville Township, with an estimated construction let date in December; and bridge improvement on Pleasant View Road in East Hanover Township over a tributary to Raccoon Creek, with a let date in January.
Cost estimates are about $2 million, $600,000, and $1.5 million, respectively.
Construction estimates are somewhat fluid, cautioned Fitzkee, noting that “with bridge improvement, you can’t always know all that is needed for the repairs until you dig into the structure as not all issues can be seen.”
Only one highway project is included in the TIP update — resurfacing on U.S. Route 422 (Cumberland Street) from South 5th Avenue to east of Halfway Drive. This section of Route 422 runs through Lebanon city and South Lebanon, North Lebanon, and Jackson townships. Estimated cost is $7.2 million.
Three projects are identified as safety improvements. One of those — the intersection of Hill Church Road and Thompson Avenue in North Annville Township — has an estimated construction let date of October. The project includes the installation of four-way stop signs and associated work, with a price tag of about $904,000.
Other projects address intersection improvements, bicycle facility improvements, and the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail.
New on the TIP is $1.2 million in state bridge funds for box culvert projects on various state roads throughout the county.
Written comments will be accepted until 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17. Adoption of the draft 2027-30 Transportation Improvement Plan is anticipated at the June 18 meeting of the LEBCO MPO policy board, which will meet at 11:30 a.m. in room 207 of the Lebanon Municipal Building, 400 8th St., Lebanon. Meetings are open to the public and do not require registration.
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