Legislation Requiring Local Government Approval Before Abandoning State Roads
August 7, 2015 03:50 PM to All House Members
Circulated By
Representative Tim Mahoney
D House District 51
Memo
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation which would amend Act 428 of 1945, also known as the State Highway Law, to require local government approval before a state road can be abandoned within its borders by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Under current law, a state road abandoned by PennDOT is automatically maintained by, and at the expense of, the township, borough, incorporated town or city wherein the road is located. As a result, these municipalities are often forced to support abandoned state roads without giving any consent. By mandating local ownership over such roads, we are harming the delivery of essential local services and forcing property tax increases to pay for the necessary maintenance. For these reasons, local governments should not be forced to accept responsibility for any abandoned state road unless they have first given their approval prior to PennDOT taking action.
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors has expressed support for this type of change in statute.
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation to better serve our local governments. Thank you.
Under current law, a state road abandoned by PennDOT is automatically maintained by, and at the expense of, the township, borough, incorporated town or city wherein the road is located. As a result, these municipalities are often forced to support abandoned state roads without giving any consent. By mandating local ownership over such roads, we are harming the delivery of essential local services and forcing property tax increases to pay for the necessary maintenance. For these reasons, local governments should not be forced to accept responsibility for any abandoned state road unless they have first given their approval prior to PennDOT taking action.
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors has expressed support for this type of change in statute.
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation to better serve our local governments. Thank you.
Legislation
Document - Introduced as HB 1747
Last updated on August 7, 2015 03:51 PM
Legislation Requiring Local Government Approval Before Abandoning State Roads
August 7, 2015 03:50 PM to All House Members
Circulated By
MAHONEY
Memo
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation which would amend Act 428 of 1945, also known as the State Highway Law, to require local government approval before a state road can be abandoned within its borders by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Under current law, a state road abandoned by PennDOT is automatically maintained by, and at the expense of, the township, borough, incorporated town or city wherein the road is located. As a result, these municipalities are often forced to support abandoned state roads without giving any consent. By mandating local ownership over such roads, we are harming the delivery of essential local services and forcing property tax increases to pay for the necessary maintenance. For these reasons, local governments should not be forced to accept responsibility for any abandoned state road unless they have first given their approval prior to PennDOT taking action.
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors has expressed support for this type of change in statute.
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation to better serve our local governments. Thank you.
Under current law, a state road abandoned by PennDOT is automatically maintained by, and at the expense of, the township, borough, incorporated town or city wherein the road is located. As a result, these municipalities are often forced to support abandoned state roads without giving any consent. By mandating local ownership over such roads, we are harming the delivery of essential local services and forcing property tax increases to pay for the necessary maintenance. For these reasons, local governments should not be forced to accept responsibility for any abandoned state road unless they have first given their approval prior to PennDOT taking action.
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors has expressed support for this type of change in statute.
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation to better serve our local governments. Thank you.
Document
Introduced as HB 1747
Last Updated
August 7, 2015 03:51 PM
Generated 03/23/2025 10:34 AM