Published: March 06, 2008 11:52 am      

Somerset officials seek meeting with governor on U.S. 219 funding

SOMERSET, Pa. - Somerset County officials want to meet with Gov. Ed Rendell to lobby for the state to reinsert $9 million in funding for the completion of U.S. Route 219.

County commissioners said Tuesday they are trying to schedule a meeting with the governor, though no date has been set.

"I think we need to make him understand that this roadway is a huge benefit to Pennsylvania, not just Somerset County," Commissioner Jimmy Marker said.

Last week, the commissioners met with federal lawmakers in Washington, pushing for a change in the federal funding formula that now prevents the state from using toll credits for its share of the project.

Completion of the four-lane between Somerset and Interstate 68 in Maryland is in jeopardy after the state withdrew $9 million for it.

Federal guidelines require the state to commit to a 20 percent share for the estimated $350 million cost to build 12 miles of highway between Somerset and Meyersdale - money the state says it doesn't have. Completion of the road to Maryland is expected to cost $600 million.

State officials have said they are focusing on repairing thousands of deficient bridges and roads.

Since the issue came to light last month, commissioners said more than 10,000 e-mails have been sent to state and federal officials through the county's Web site.

Commissioner John Vatavuk said the highway is equally important to neighboring Cambria County.

"It benefits Cambria County and the north as much as it does Somerset," he said. "There's no four-lane access in and out of Johnstown. This would give them the access."

Marker said Route 219 is an essential component in economic development, along with the Quemahoning Pipeline and ongoing work on business parks.

"The ultimate goal," he said of a proposed meeting with Rendell, "is to get the roadway funded."

Kirk Swauger is staff writer for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat.