The Overview

Pennsylvania has a new law that will let the state take over two local roads, Bow Creek Road in Dauphin County and Susquehanna Trail in York County. But it won't happen right away: each road joins the state system only after some official notices go out, and Susquehanna Trail also has to wait for some road improvements, including the Canal Road project, to get done. [](#ngr-8fa6e749-0d3a-4cf0-803b-3cbdff7544ea)

The change comes through a Senate bill that updates the state's Township State Highway Law.

First up is Bow Creek Road in Dauphin County, a short stretch that heads north from Jonestown Road to a state route. Next is Susquehanna Trail in York County, which runs from the Manchester Township line to where a state route begins.

The timing fits a bigger worry, since Spotlight PA reported last year that money troubles could leave more of the state's roads and bridges in rough shape. The research group TRIP has also said the state needs to put more into local roads and bridges. PennDOT also announced hundreds of millions of dollars for municipal roads and bridges last year, which shows how much upkeep is needed across the state.

Republican State Sen. Dawn Keefer is the lead sponsor, joined by Patty Kim, Marty Flynn and Judy Ward as cosponsors, and the bill's first step was getting sent to the Transportation committee back in February. The governor signed off on it in July.

The Debate

The Senate passed it in June without a single "no" vote recorded. The Senate Transportation Committee had also backed it earlier, in April, with no one voting against it. The House Transportation Committee sent it forward in June, again with no opposing votes. The bill's record shows final passage in July.

What's Next

Neither road has a set date for the handoff. For Bow Creek Road, either South Hanover Township or East Hanover Township has to agree to take back its piece of Canal Road, then the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has to send a notice to the state's Legislative Reference Bureau, and that notice has to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. For Susquehanna Trail, Conewago Township has to agree to take back Bowers Bridge Road, and the planned improvements on Canal Road have to be finished, followed by PennDOT's notice.

---

AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article