HARRISBURG — Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) announced today new funding to repair local roads across the state is now being put to work with PennDOT’s announcement of the first 79 “Rapid Deployment” projects.
Recognizing the urgent need to improve local roads, the Senate Republicans, including Brooks, led an effort in the 2026-27 state budget for a “Rapid Deployment” program to direct an additional $775 million from the commonwealth’s Motor License Fund to three- and four-digit road projects throughout Pennsylvania communities to quickly improve highway infrastructure. Interstate roadway projects are funded separately and not included in the program funding.
“Senate Republicans fought hard as a part of this year’s budget to get these transportation dollars fast-tracked for important infrastructure projects on behalf the people and businesses of Mercer and Crawford counties, and this investment will make a real difference in our communities,” Brooks said. “I strongly supported the ‘Rapid Deployment’ program because our local roads need repairs now, not years from now. I am pleased to see funding moving forward for projects on Routes 77, 173 and 62, helping improve the roads families, workers, farmers and businesses use every day.”
As part of budget negotiations, Senate Republicans pushed for an additional $500 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year and $275 million in 2027-28, which PennDOT agreed upon and is swiftly putting the plan into action.
The first round of funding being distributed totals $250 million throughout the state. Roadway projects in the 50th Senatorial District this round include:
Crawford County
- Route 77: Hatch Street to Gravel Run Road: A 3.35‑mile resurfacing project in Blooming Valley Borough and Richmond Township, improving pavement conditions along Route 77.
Mercer County
- Route 173: Route 62 to Gordon Run: Milling and resurfacing of 5.63 miles of Route 173 through Mill Creek and Sandy Lake townships as well as New Lebanon and Grove City boroughs.
- Route 62: Horvath Farms Road to Route 3039: Nearly four miles of U.S. 62 will be resurfaced across Jefferson, Lackawannock and East Lackawannock townships.
- Route 62: Route 3039 to Route 258: Resurfacing 3.25 miles of Route 62 (Sharon Mercer Road) in Jefferson and East Lackawannock townships and Mercer Borough.
- Route 173: Butler County Line to Grove City: A 2.83‑mile resurfacing project along Route 173 through Pine and Liberty townships, enhancing travel between Butler County and Grove City.
All approved projects can be viewed on the PennDOT website.