Gov. Corbett signed the highly anticipated House Bill 1060 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) Monday which includes $35 million for the state’s Dirt and Gravel Roads Program, into law, according to the PA Association of Conservation Districts.
“This funding is a win for residents in both rural and urban areas of Pennsylvania,” said Robert Maiden, PACD Executive Director. “Including funds for the Dirt and Gravel Roads Program is including money to be well spent on improving the state’s environment and economy, while providing the needed support for agriculture, business and tourism. This is an accomplishment for each of us.”
Currently, there are more than 14,000 identified sites in need of infrastructure improvements in Pennsylvania. Through partnerships with multiple stakeholders, conservation districts will be able to begin to implement on the ground efforts which will result in improved access and efficiency for areas across this commonwealth.
“This was years of dedicated conversation and work to reach an agreement that would mutually benefit any individual accessing any means of transportation in this state. We realize all that went into this effort and sincerely thank Gov. Corbett and his administration, as well as the leadership of both chambers and all of the legislators who worked to get this important legislation passed,” added Maiden.
Pennsylvania’s Dirt and Gravel Roads Program became law in April 1997 thanks to the efforts of the General Assembly and the PA Council of Trout Unlimited.
The law created a dedicated, non-lapsing fund to provide funding and training to local communities for local dirt and gravel road maintenance. The funds are distributed by the State Conservation Commission to the 65 county conservation districts which participate in the Dirt and Gravel Roads Program.
Under House Bill 1060, $35 million has been allotted for the state’s Dirt and Gravel Roads Program. Of this, $28 million is allotted to conservation districts, with $8 million earmarked specifically for low-volume roads. The other $7 million is allotted to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Each year, townships/boroughs work with their local conservation district to address identified sites by using environmentally-sound road maintenance practices. Since its inception, the Dirt & Gravel Roads Program has invested $75 million in the Commonwealth’s unpaved roads and improved water quality.
For more information, visit the PA Association of Conservation Districts website. Visit the Dirt and Gravel Roads Program and Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads for more information about the program.