Dauphin County, PennDOT team up for first-of-its-kind transportation funding program

(Harrisburg) — Dauphin County is launching a new program to help fund transportation projects that would also attract business to the region.

It’s teaming up with PennDOT on the so-called “Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank” to offer $30 million in loans over the next three years.

The county’s using money it would normally receive from the state liquid fuels tax for bridge repairs since all upgrades should be complete by next year.

County Commissioner Jeff Haste says it’s designed to make it easier for municipalities or private companies to finish their projects. “If there’s a new business coming to town, and they’ve got everything in place, but they don’t have the intersector road or they don’t have the entrance and things worked out with PennDOT, and they need the funds to make that happen, we’re hoping that this will fill that gap and we’ll start to see more projects.”

Haste says the commissioners decided on the plan as a way to help bring jobs to the area.

The county’s Gaming Advisory Board, which helps dole out gaming revenue from Hollywood Casino, would also help review applications for transportation funding loans.