Pennsylvania in the US is planning a series of major transport upgrades during 2026. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has set out plans for road improvements across the state, following on from the 31,122km of road upgrades carried out so far under the present state administration.
PennDOT is also making a broad, multi district investment to improve and preserve roads with lower traffic volumes across 20 counties statewide. The $37.5 million series of works is being funded through Motor License Fund resources. This will deliver roadway improvements significantly earlier than originally planned according to PennDOT.
“PennDOT has a robust construction program for 2026. The District 1 team plans to award 76 contracts this year. That work, combined with the 34 projects that were carried over from 2025, tackles a wide range of transportation needs including large-scale improvements to the region’s interstate system and notable investments into the state and local bridge network in all six counties,” said PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty. PennDOT is building on that momentum this year and anticipates investing more than $325 million in District 1, which includes Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties. This investment includes reconstructing and resurfacing more than 208km of highways and repairing or replacing 41 bridges.
In North central PA (District 3) PennDOT is commencing 101 projects during the 2026 construction season, and 37 projects will continue in 2026 in the nine-county, Montoursville-based region.
PennDOT anticipates investing more than $230.8 million in the region spanning Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties. This investment includes rehabilitating, reconstructing, and resurfacing 138km of highways and working on 59 bridges.
In Northeast PA (District 4), 67 projects are anticipated to start during the 2026 construction season and 81 projects will continue in 2026 in the six-county, Dunmore-based region. The Interstate 81/84 project, Interstate 81 at Exit 219 (Gibson), and the resurfacing of Routes 6 and 29 will all be carried out.
PennDOT anticipates investing more than $655 million in the region which encompasses Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. “PennDOT crews will be focusing on core maintenance activities including sealcoating, crack sealing, and shoulder cutting to improve and preserve our roadways,” said Assistant District Executive for Maintenance Lonell Tomaine.
In Laurel Highlands region (District 9), PennDOT will invest over $209 million in 50 projects anticipated to start during the 2026 construction season, and three projects that will continue in 2026 in the six-county, Laurel Highlands region. This investment includes rehabilitating, reconstructing, and resurfacing 168km of highways and working on 89 bridges.
In the Greater Pittsburgh region (District 11), officials highlighted more than 58 projects expected to be bid this year, along with 52 projects that will continue in 2026 in the three-county greater Pittsburgh region. “While the innovative I-376 Commercial Street Bridge replacement project is the highlight of our construction season, it is only the tip of the iceberg,” said District 11 Executive Jason Zang. PennDOT anticipates investing more than $380 million in the region spanning Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties. This investment includes improving over 1,920km of highways and working on 43 bridges.
For Southwest PA (District 12), PennDOT has plans for 31 projects anticipated to start during the 2026 construction season, and the 39 projects that will continue in 2026 in the four-county, Uniontown-based region. “I am excited to see the continued progress of the I-70 Arnold City Interchange Project, which is a significant investment in improving mobility and safety in the region,” said PennDOT District 12 Executive Rachel Duda.
PennDOT anticipates investing more than $200 million in the region, which encompasses Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. This investment includes rehabilitating, reconstructing, and resurfacing 160km of highways, as well as improving 48 bridges – 27 through preservation, three through rehabilitation, and 18 through replacement.
