The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA) recently submitted comments to the Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission on the Draft 2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), offering the trucking industry's perspective on transportation investment priorities across the Commonwealth.

What Is the STIP?

The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, is Pennsylvania's four-year transportation investment plan. Developed by PennDOT in partnership with the State Transportation Commission, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs), the STIP identifies the highway, bridge, transit, freight, aviation, bicycle, pedestrian, and other transportation projects expected to receive federal and state funding.

Because most federally funded transportation projects must be included in the STIP before they can move forward, the document serves as an important roadmap for how transportation dollars will be invested throughout Pennsylvania. The decisions made through this process influence everything from interstate reconstruction and bridge preservation to freight corridor improvements and truck parking investments.

Why the STIP Matters to Trucking

Pennsylvania's trucking industry depends on a transportation system that is safe, reliable, and efficient. Investments in highways, bridges, freight corridors, and truck parking directly affect the movement of goods, highway safety, and the cost of doing business.

The STIP public comment process provides the public and organizations like PMTA with an opportunity to share industry perspectives as transportation priorities are finalized, helping ensure that freight needs are considered alongside other transportation priorities.

PMTA's Recommendations

In its comments, PMTA thanked PennDOT for its continued commitment to performance-based planning and encouraged continued investment in projects that improve freight mobility, enhance highway safety, and strengthen Pennsylvania's economy.

Among the Association's recommendations were:

Expand truck parking capacity. PMTA encouraged PennDOT and regional planning organizations to continue advancing truck parking projects and incorporating parking opportunities into major highway reconstruction, interchange improvements, freight corridor projects, and economic development initiatives. Safe, accessible truck parking remains one of the industry's most significant safety and operational challenges, and continued investment will improve safety for both truck drivers and the motoring public.

Prioritize freight mobility and reliability. PMTA expressed support for continued investment through the National Highway Freight Program, which focuses on reducing freight bottlenecks, improving supply chain efficiency, and strengthening the National Highway Freight Network. The Association noted that, according to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), traffic congestion costs the trucking industry more than $108 billion annually in lost productivity, wasted fuel, and delays. Investments that reduce congestion and improve travel time reliability benefit not only trucking companies, but also the businesses and consumers who rely on efficient freight transportation.

Keep freight central to transportation planning. PMTA encouraged PennDOT, MPOs, and RPOs to continue considering freight mobility, travel time reliability, and freight network performance when evaluating transportation projects. The Association also emphasized the importance of engaging trucking companies and other freight stakeholders throughout the planning process so that practical operational experience helps inform project design and investment decisions.

Continue preserving freight-critical bridges. PMTA supported continued investment in bridge preservation and replacement projects that improve freight connectivity, reduce weight restrictions and costly detours, and strengthen access between manufacturers, distribution centers, agricultural producers, ports, rail terminals, and local communities.

Support transportation system resilience. PMTA also encouraged investments that improve the resilience of Pennsylvania's transportation network, helping ensure that critical freight corridors remain operational during severe weather, natural disasters, and other disruptions that can affect supply chains and emergency response.

Why Industry Participation Matters

Transportation planning is strongest when it incorporates input from those who use the system every day. Motor carriers have firsthand knowledge of freight bottlenecks, recurring safety concerns, infrastructure deficiencies, and operational challenges that may not always be evident through traffic data alone.

By participating in planning processes like the STIP, PMTA helps ensure that the trucking industry's experience informs long-term transportation decisions. These conversations help shape investments that improve safety, strengthen Pennsylvania's economy, and keep freight moving efficiently across the Commonwealth.

PMTA appreciates the opportunity to provide these comments and looks forward to continuing to work with PennDOT, the State Transportation Commission, MPOs, RPOs, and its members to build a transportation system that serves all Pennsylvanians.