Transportation Planning

Transportation Improvement Program

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a project specific, fiscally constrained transportation-programming plan that consists of the first four years of PENNDOT's Twelve-Year Program. The TIP contains highway and bridge projects along with other intermodal projects and it is updated every two years.

The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (NCPRPDC) is responsible for developing the regional TIP for Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties. Each county is required to develop a prioritized listing of proposed projects to be included in the regional TIP each time it is updated and submit this to the NCPRPDC for review. Following the submissions from all of the counties, the NCPRPDC Rural Transportation Committee constructs the fiscally constrained regional TIP.

Jefferson County solicits information on proposed projects from all of its municipalities during this process to determine the priorities of the county. 

If you have any questions on current or proposed transportation related projects in the county or would like to discuss any new projects that you feel are necessary please the Jefferson County Department of Development.

Aviation

Jefferson County currently has two airports that serve the area in different capacities.

The Dubois-Jefferson County Airport (DUJ) provides commercial air service and is located on State Route 830 between Brookville and Dubois in the vicinity known as Beechwoods. DUJ is not only important to the county, but is also a major link for the entire north central region in Pennsylvania due to its ability to meet the needs of business and leisure users in the region. DUJ not only has the facilities to transport people, but also goods as well. 

The Punxsutawney Municipal Airport provides general aviation services and is located just northeast of Punxsutawney. The role of this airport is to meet the needs of the general aviation community and does not offer the services of a commercial service airport. 

Railroads

Rail freight services are provided in Jefferson County by Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc.  Rail accessible sites are available as well as rail/truck transload services for industries without direct rail service.

Rails to Trails

Clarion/Little Toby Trail

The Clarion/Little Toby Trail is an 18-mile trail located in Elk and Jefferson counties that extends between the towns of Ridgway and Brockway.  The trail is open to the public for hiking and bicycling.  The trail follows the abandoned Ridgway and Clearfield branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad alongside the Clarion River from Ridgway to the ghost town of Carman, then from Carmen to Brockway along the Little Toby Creek. 

If you would like to become a member of the Tri County Rails to Trails Association or would like additional information on the Clarion/Little Toby Trail please call Mr. Bruce Miller at 814-265-8484.

Mahoning Shadow Trail

The Mahoning Shadow Trail is a 14-mile rail trail that is located in the southern part of the county and will be completed in phases.  The borough of Punxsutawney will be at the center of the trail and the trail will extend out approximately 7 miles in both the east and west directions from the borough.  The trail predominately follows abandoned railroad corridor lines that parallel the Mahoning Creek for most of the way.  The exception is in Punxsutawney, where it is anticipated that the trail will follow a pattern of borough streets and the flood control project along the creek.

Jefferson County has worked closely with the Punxsutawney Area Rails to Trails Association on this project.  The County has secured construction funds for the Phase I portion of the trail.  The Phase I boundary extends from the village of Fordham east to the borough of Punxsutawney.  It is anticipated that construction will begin on this phase in the fall of 2002. 

Please continue to check our NEWS page for updates on the construction of this trail.   

If you would like to become a member of the Punxsutawney Area Rails to Trails Association  or would like additional information on the Mahoning Shadow Trail please call Mr. Matt Taladay at 814-938-7057.

If you have any general questions regarding rails to trails projects or would like more information on how to start a project in your area please contact the Jefferson County Department of Development.