Canonsburg, PA – Member companies of the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) invested more than $411 million over the past three years to repave, rebuild and improve roadways and transportation infrastructure across the state of Pennsylvania, according to a survey of participating members. Since 2008, approximately 21% of the payments have been made toward local roads, while approximately 79% went toward improving roads maintained by the state.
Kathryn Z. Klaber, president and executive director of the MSC, issued the following statement on the industry’s commitment to improving the roads and infrastructure that support Marcellus activity:
“Preparing and restoring roads associated with Marcellus development is a responsibility that our coalition members take very seriously. We understand and recognize the concerns regarding the increase in truck traffic and its impact on our roads. And we also understand, as good neighbors, that we must do everything to ensure that we leave these roads in better condition than when our operations started. This $411 million industry investment in our roads since 2008 is just one example of the natural gas industry addressing local concerns in a direct and straightforward manner. It’s an investment that will continue to grow as responsible shale gas development continues across the Commonwealth.”
Natural gas operators are required by law to bond each mile of posted road traveled, submit road management plans (Excess Maintenance Agreements) to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and acquire hauling permits prior to truck traffic traveling on a given road. Road management plans outline which roads an operator may travel while also stipulating a maintenance plan for each roadway.
NOTE: Today, the MSC is hosting the second annual Marcellus Transportation Safety Day. This seminar is designed to better educate carriers and truck drivers supporting the natural gas industry on Pennsylvania’s regulations to continuously improve their safe operating practices. Speakers include representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. For additional information, visit www.marcelluscoalition.org.
