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Municipalities throughout the state got some good news Monday as PennDOT announced 2017 liquid fuels payments, money that will be used for paving and other road maintenance.
Wilkes-Barre will receive the highest amount in Luzerne County, getting just more than $1.1 million. At the other end of the spectrum, tiny Jeddo outside Hazleton will get just $2,182.
“The funds received through liquid fuels payments are critical to the preservation and improvement of our vast network of locally maintained roads,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards.
Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat, whose city is receiving the second-highest payment in the county at $769,333, was excited to hear the news.
“We wouldn’t be able to maintain roads without it,” he said. “People don’t realize the cost to maintain roads.”
Some municipalities include the liquid fuels funds in their annual budgets.
Cusat, however, said Hazleton doesn’t do that because it’s unclear how much money a municipality will receive until it’s announced. He added the city usually receives around $700,000, but the 2017 total was more than he was anticipating.
Hazleton could use the extra help.
“We’re in a desperate need for vehicles,” he said while talking about the difficulty the city experienced during a recent snowstorm.
Cusat said the Department of Public Works garage was a “mess with parts everywhere.”
PennDOT said the distribution marks a $20.9 million, or 5 percent, increase over 2016’s allotment.
Liquid fuels payments come from the collection of the state’s gas tax.
To be eligible for the funding, a roadway must be formally adopted as a public street by a municipality, meet certain dimension requirements and be able to safely accommodate vehicles driving at least 15 mph. In Luzerne County, there are 1,605 miles of municipal roadways. Municipalities in the county will receive funds totaling $11 million.
Philadelphia is receiving the highest payment in the state at $35 million.
Wilkes-Barre officials were unavailable for comment Monday evening.
