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Erie-area officials press PennDOT on proposed National Highway System removals and NHPP funding loss
Summary
PennDOT presented an internal review proposing removal of several Erie-area segments from the National Highway System (NHS), which would make those segments ineligible for National Highway Performance Program funds. Local officials asked PennDOT to justify keeping key routes and raised concerns about the impact on projects already programmed in the TIP.
PennDOT staff on the regional transportation advisory committee outlined a statewide review of the National Highway System and asked local planning partners to provide justifications for keeping specific segments in the NHS.
The agency said the proposed segments would remain on the federal aid system but would no longer be eligible for National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) funding unless a mutual justification is agreed with PennDOT. "If a valid justification is provided that is mutually agreed upon by the MPO and PennDOT, then the route can stay on the highway system," the PennDOT presenter said during the open discussion.
Affected municipalities listed by staff include the city of Erie, Harborcreek Township, Wesleyville Borough, Summit Township, Millcreek Township and Lawrence Park Township. PennDOT staff described that many of the candidate removals are short, urban segments that were added to the NHS in 2012 and are now being re-evaluated for national significance.
Local officials pressed the agency on practical impacts. One member asked whether removing a segment would shift maintenance responsibility; PennDOT replied: "These roads would not become local roads nor change who maintains them," adding that the primary effect would be a change in which federal funding categories could be used. The presenter said affected segments would lose NHPP eligibility but remain eligible for other federal funds such as STP and 581 program monies.
Members also highlighted a currently programmed project in Erie (referred to in the meeting as the Corey project) that relies on NHPP funding. PennDOT said staff would work to ensure a transition could be managed: projects already programmed and using NHPP could either keep that funding for the near term or be replaced by alternative STP/581 funds to avoid immediate disruption.
Committee members asked staff to consider whether there are alternative routes in the region that meet national‑significance criteria (for example, an NHS-designated alternate around an interstate closure). PennDOT staff encouraged the committee to jointly review the map and provide technical justifications where local network characteristics warrant retaining NHS status.
Next steps: PennDOT will follow up with the MPO/TAC and affected municipalities, gather additional local input and provide the district and central offices with requests or technical data to support any proposed NHS exceptions. The agency indicated the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) plans to approve statewide changes by 2030, so local partners have time to prepare justifications and questions.
