Gov Shapiro Kicks Off 79 ‘Rapid Deployment Projects’ for Over 400 Road Miles | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Bethlehem, PA - Today, Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll announced the first round of funding secured by the Governor in the 2026-27 budget will disburse $250 million to 79 Rapid Deployment Projects across the Commonwealth. Over the next 18 months, the Shapiro Administration will drive out a total of $775 million from the Motor License Fund to repair state-owned roads quickly.

As a result of this funding, projects are beginning early, reducing ongoing maintenance costs, preventing further road deterioration, and freeing up resources like crews and equipment for use in other projects. This announcement builds on PennDOT's anticipated $4 billion investment in projects going out for bid this year.

"Since taking office, my Administration has worked hard to rebuild Pennsylvania's infrastructure and invest in safer roads all across the Commonwealth, and we've worked quickly to get stuff done," said Governor Shapiro. "PennDOT has improved over 21,800 road miles and advanced work on nearly 2,000 state and local bridges - more than almost every other state in the nation. As a result of the funding secured in this year's state budget, Pennsylvanians will see more miles paved faster than originally scheduled. I'm committed to ensuring our communities have the modern transportation networks they need to continue to compete and grow."

The projects announced today will improve roadways across the Commonwealth, including more than 400 miles of paving to 44 counties.

"Every county in Pennsylvania will see additional paving over the next 18 months because the Shapiro Administration secured additional funding in this year's budget," said PennDOT Secretary Carroll. "Investing in these additional and expanded projects also allows PennDOT maintenance crews and funds to focus on other activities that help preserve our road and bridge system."

Earlier this month, three of the 79 projects began construction, including a paving project originally planned for 2027 on six miles of Route 77 in Crawford County also began early, and in Fayette County, U.S. 40 is being paved from Fayette Spring Road to Flatrock Road in Wharton Township - six more miles than would previously have been paved, before the budget was enacted.

The project to pave Route 378 between U.S. 22 and the Hill-to-Hill Bridge in the City of Bethlehem, Lehigh County, started ahead of schedule this month and is included in the 79 projects announced today.

"Route 378 is critically important infrastructure for not only Bethlehem but the Lehigh Valley region," said Chris Kufro, PennDOT Engineering District 5 Executive. "The work made possible with these funds will ensure the roadway is in good shape for many years to come."

"The Shapiro Administration comes to the Lehigh Valley, they listen, and they deliver," said Mayor J. William Reynolds, City of Bethlehem. "Governor Shapiro has shown a clear dedication to the Commonwealth and to our community and I'm grateful to welcome him back for another exciting announcement."

As part of the improvements to Route 378, PennDOT crews will conduct work that includes milling and paving, concrete patching, base repairs, joint repairs, bridge deck repairs and overlays, guide rail upgrades, and new pavement marking along mainline Route 378 and the ramps at the interchanges with Catasauqua Road, 8th Avenue, and Center City exit. J.D. Eckman, Inc. Atglen, PA is the general contractor on the $12.9 million project that is anticipated to be completed in December 2027.

"After consistently growing our region for the last 30 years, our infrastructure has fallen behind," said Senator Nick Miller, PA's 14th Senate District. "But under the leadership of Governor Shapiro, we've been able to catch up, and accelerate some of these projects. The work isn't done, but these dollars are opening up opportunities and ensuring that our infrastructure can match the demand."

"With the continued growth of the Lehigh Valley and the announcement of significant economic development projects coming here such as Eli Lilly and Chobani, it is absolutely imperative that we ensure our transportation infrastructure meets the demands of our residents and businesses," said Senator Lisa Boscola, PA's 18th Senate District. "Through the 'Rapid Deployment' funding in this year's budget, we are addressing important projects here in the Lehigh Valley and across our Commonwealth."

Traffic will be maintained throughout construction with lane restrictions primarily occurring during off-peak periods. Additional information about traffic restrictions for this project will be released when the construction schedule is available.

Travelers can check conditions on major roads by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts. 

Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict5.

Shapiro Administration's Work to Invest in Safer Roads

From day one, Governor Shapiro has been committed to rebuilding and investing in Pennsylvania's infrastructure, strengthening local economies, and ensuring communities have the modern transportation network they need to compete and grow. Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has:

• Reduced the number of poor-condition bridges in Pennsylvania by 304 - the second-largest reduction of poor bridges in the nation.
• Awarded over $11 billion in state and federal funding to repair roads and bridges in the Commonwealth.
• Delivered $197 million to local communities through the Multimodal Transportation Fund, which improves safety, strengthens local economies, and enhances mobility across the Commonwealth.
• Opened the 50th National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funded EV charging station - as Pennsylvania's NEVI program leads the nation with 50 stations and $58 million in federal funds invested.

Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, over 21,800 miles have been improved statewide and work has advanced on nearly 2,000 state and local bridges all across the Commonwealth.

Read more about the 2026-27 budget, view the Governor's remarks as prepared here, or watch the Governor's delivered remarks here.