In Pennsylvania, the responsibility for maintaining our roads and bridges rests with our state and local governments. In Erie County, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation owns and maintains the Interstates (90, 79 and 86), U.S. Highways (20, 19, 6 and 6N), and state routes. The remaining roadway network, as well as all traffic signals, are owned and maintained by the individual municipal governments.
In addition to our roadways and bridges, the transportation network in Erie County includes Class I and short-line railroads, daily passenger train service, an industrial port, a commercial airport, a countywide public transit system and a network of cycling and recreation trails.
While the actual construction, maintenance and repair of the transportation system are performed by these various companies, government agencies and authorities; the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development plays a significant role in coordinating these organizations, developing plans and studies, providing technical assistance and data analysis, engaging the general public and stakeholders, and prioritizing transportation funding for projects in our area.
Alternative Fuels
Erie County has many transportation fuels other than traditional gasoline. To see locations of fueling stations, click the map the below.
Local Bridges
While Erie County does not own any bridges, it assists the Cities, Townships and Boroughs that do. The County pays the 20% local share for Federally required bridge inspections. The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) can program local bridges to receive state and federal funding on the Transportation Improvement Program. Erie County and the MPO also administer the Erie County At-Risk Bridge Program and Local Use Fee Programs described below.
To visualize where the local bridges are and which have received funding for repair from Erie County click on the map below.
Erie County At-Risk Bridge Program
The County has developed the At-Risk Bridge Program to assist our local municipalities with the costs of ensuring a structurally sound and safe transportation system, by providing funding for the repair or replacement of at-risk bridges. This program is funded through the Act 13 Unconventional Gas Well Impact Fee and the Act 89 Local Use Fee.
Erie County Liquid Fuels
- Purpose
- The Liquid Fuels Tax Act of 1931 (the Act), as codified in Title 75 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Chapter 90, provides all counties that are in compliance with PennDOT guidelines with semiannual allocations in June and December of each year. Payments may be made for construction, maintenance, and repair of county roads and bridges. However, Erie County does not own or maintain any roads or bridges. Fortunately, the Act also provides that counties may allocate monies from this fund to their cities, boroughs and townships for these same purposes.
- How Erie County Distributes Funding
- Erie County Council adopted an ordinance in 1978 to establish a liquid fuels committee. The 9 member committee consists of Borough, Townships, and City representatives. Then on April 27, 1982, the Liquid Fuels formula committee was formed to determine a fair and equitable formula for the distribution of county liquid fuels to the 38 municipalities in Erie County. On September 14, 1982, the Committee approved a 50% mileage, 22% population, and 28% millage formula that determines the amount of funding a municipalities receives each year. This formula continues to remain in effect to date.
Erie County allocates all funds to municipalities. In addition to the formula distribution, Emergency Liquid Fuels funds are available by application and local bridge inspection costs are reimbursed yearly to municipalities.