David N. Hunter, Sr., AICP, Executive Director
Reading Area Transportation Study Technical Committee Meeting
There will be a meeting of the Reading Area
Transportation Study Technical Committee on Thursday, December 3, 2020 beginning
at 1:30 PM. as a virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams. Details on how to participate in this meeting
either online or via phone will be posted here no later than 1 PM on Tuesday, December 3, 2020. Links to the meeting agenda, materials to be
discussed and how to provide comments either before or during the meeting will
also be provided.
Opportunity for Public Input into the Berks County Transportation Planning Program
Every four years the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) conduct a review of the metropolitan planning process and jointly issue a certification on behalf of the US Secretary of Transportation. This review is currently underway for the Reading Area Transportation Study, the designated MPO covering Berks County. The MPO is responsible for developing the Long Range Transportation Plan (20+ years) and a short-range (4 years) Transportation Improvement Program that addresses the region's transportation system (including highways, bridges, the transit system, and bicycle and pedestrian needs) and related documents and activities. As a part of this local review, a public presentation was conducted at the Reading Area Transportation Study meeting on Thursday, November 19, 2020. If you participated, we appreciate your feedback. We continue to invite the public to participate and offer comments through November 30, 2020. For further details and information on how to provide input, please click the following links: (English) (Spanish)
PennDOT Requests Public Feedback on Transportation Funding
PennDOT faces an $8.1 billion gap in its annual highway and bridge funding program. As part of its ongoing work to explore sustainable transportation options, PennDOT is requesting public feedback for the PennDOT Pathways Program. Feedback will be accepted through December 17, 2020. For more information, please click here.
Dreibelbis Station Bridge Rehabilitation
Check out the video to view the rehabilitation of the historic Dreibelbis Station Covered Bridge spanning the Maiden Creek between Greenwich and Windsor Townships.
NOTIFICATION! Berks County Subdivision/Land Development Endorsement Process (Current as of October 13, 2020)
Until further notice, the Berks County Planning Commission is accepting subdivision plans for endorsement
by appointment only. There will be only 3 appointments per day. You can make an appointment with Michelle Franklin at
mfranklin@countyofberks.com.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
LTAP Virtual Format
Due to the pandemic and the continued uncertainty of when normal operations will resume, the LTAP program has moved to a virtual format for the remainder of the year, 2020. For more information on courses and how to register, please click
here.
LTAP Fall 2020 Drop-In Schedule
Four new LTAP Virtual Drop-In sessions for the fall of 2020 have been scheduled. These are informal one-hour live sessions focused on networking and sharing information with other municipal roadway personnel. Information and registration are available on the PennDOT LTAP website on their Bulletin Board located at
https://gis.penndot.gov/ltap/.
Tales of Safety Amid COVID-19
Check out our video showing us doing our part to Stop the Spread! Click the image or link above to watch the video on YouTube.Berks County Source Water Protection Program
Protecting our drinking water supplies through cooperative efforts.
The Mount Penn Master Plan Now Available! Visit this website to view the Master Plan and to learn more about the Mount Penn Preserve events, meetings, and initiatives.
Roundabouts are here and more are coming. Are you prepared?
The roundabout at U.S. 222 and PA 662 in Richmond Township has been a major success in reducing congestion and improving safety. Following up on that success, two roundabouts on either side of the Village of Oley at the intersections of PA 73 and PA 662 were recently completed. Roundabouts are also under construction in Maidencreek Township at the intersections of U.S. 222 and Tamarack/Genesis Drive and U.S. 222 and Schaeffer Road. These are estimated to be completed by November 2022. Details are being finalized for a roundabout at US 222 and Long Lane in Maxatawny Township. PennDOT has also initiated construction on another project to place a roundabout at U.S. 222 and PA 863/Schantz Road in Lehigh County just across the Berks County line. That project should be completed by 2024 or sooner.
Click here for additional information on roundabouts.Your #1 resource to stay updated on bridge improvement projects to support Greater Reading.
Mission
The Berks County Planning Commission serves as the area-wide planning organization for Berks County. The Commission provides a regional blueprint for land use, transportation and community facilities. It assists local units of government with development and preservation activities and provides guidance to the Berks County Board of Commissioners and other departments of county government. The Commission and its professional staff also serve as community advisors for modern planning practices and advocates for sound regional growth management. Finally, since the Commission is involved with a range of activities with a number of partners, it plays a very important coordinating role in community development issues and projects.