McKean County’s portion of Continental 1, the effort to build a
four-lane highway from Canada to Florida, got a boost Friday from
the state capitol.
Commissioner Chairman John Egbert contacted The Era Friday to
share the news of a letter of support he received from Gov. Ed
Rendell. The commissioners and the Continental 1 board have been
working to secure federal funding for the project, and have been
seeking vocal support from state officials.
“I am writing today to pledge the support of my administration
to your efforts and those of the Corridor 1 coalition to secure
such new funding,” Rendell wrote in a letter to Egbert.
“This looks like good news,” Egbert said. “We’re going in the
right direction.”
However, the right direction doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll see
construction in the near future.
“I don’t think I’d look for a bulldozer anytime soon,” Egbert
added with a laugh, saying this is a step towards getting the
funding in place for the project’s future. To get that funding
takes the help and cooperation of people higher up in state
government.
The commissioners have spoken to Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler to ask for assistance.
Egbert explained he and Commissioner Cliff Lane had a conference
call with Biehler at the beginning of October, and followed that up
with a letter further clarifying their position.
“We needed to be sure he knows what we wanted,” Egbert said. The
commissioners were not asking for the state to divert any funds to
Continental 1, he explained.
“We’re asking for somebody to get out front and support the
program.”
In the letter sent to Biehler, Egbert wrote, “it takes Champions
at your level and above that will share our passion and deliver the
message to those in Washington, D.C. that have the power to get
this job done.”
“What is critically important is that Continental 1 receives the
steadfast support of our transportation leadership as well as the
governor of our Commonwealth.
“Given the fact that Continental 1 is a multi-state effort
Pennsylvania needs to take a leadership position in Washington and
extend the effort New York has (put) forth.”
Egbert went on to explain that the next critical segment on the
highway is a link between Interstate 86 in the Southern Tier of New
York to Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania.
“Standard bearers with the most influence get the greatest
attention and we need you and Governor Rendell to be our standard
bearers,” he continued in the letter to Biehler.
They are asking for Continental 1 to be considered for funding
when the next federal Transportation Equity Act is up for renewal
in six years.
Egbert was encouraged by Rendell’s support, but not surprised by
it. He pointed out that Rendell has visited McKean County more
times than any governor in recent history, showing that he supports
this region and its growth.
In fact, in the letter the governor sent to Egbert, Rendell
wrote, “To be sure, vibrant rural areas are key to the present and
future economic vitality of Pennsylvania, which is why I am so
committed to initiatives like PA Wilds.”
The future of Pennsylvania is in the rural areas, Egbert agreed,
“(Rendell’s) been trying to say that for some time.
“Nothing will do this county more good than a four-lane
highway,” Egbert said.
