Two more local bridge projects were supported by Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Paul Heimel and Barry Hayman at their Nov. 3 meeting. Grants of $20,000 each were approved for the Elliott Street Bridge in Austin and the Hillcrest Road Bridge in Bingham Township.

Each year, the commissioners invite local governments to apply for a share of the Pa. Act 13 Bridge Improvement Restricted Use Fund received by the county through a state fee on shale gas wells.

Under Act 13, county commissioners have the authority to distribute the funds as they see fit, as long as they address at-risk bridges. Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel, together with the County Planning Department, developed a system whereby the money is expended according to an evaluation/ranking framework to address the most critical needs. Several other counties have since adopted the Potter County system as a model.

Under Act 13, Potter County receives $40,000 annually in the Restricted Use Fund. Details can be found on the county website, pottercountypa.net, under the Planning Commission tab. More information is available from Potter County Planning Director Will Hunt at 814-274-8254.