Jul. 27—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation launched a new public awareness campaign this week aimed at helping drivers avoid hitting low bridges with vehicles.
The “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign — announced as part of a multi-state collaboration — encourages motorists to know their vehicle height and check that it will safely fit under bridges on their route.
Vehicle strikes to the tops or sides of bridges — commonly known as bridge hits — damage vehicles and infrastructure, cause traffic delays, and put the public and emergency responders at risk.
According to PennDOT data, in the 10 years between 2013 and 2023, there were more than 600 strikes to bridges or other overhead structures in PA.
“Each of these bridge strikes take funding away from other projects and often involves resources from our emergency response partners,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Drivers must know their vehicle height and watch for signage indicating bridge heights. If you are driving a commercial vehicle, a delivery or moving truck, or an RV, do not rely on your navigation app. Check the height of your vehicle and know it’s right!”
In Pennsylvania, vehicles and loads taller than 13’6″ must apply for a Special Hauling Permit. All bridges with a vertical clearance less than 14’6″ are signed with low-clearance warnings, both at the bridge and in advance of the structure.
Drivers should always watch for and adhere to signage indicating bridge heights and not rely solely on navigation devices which do not consider vehicle height when giving route guidance.
The “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign will involve public and industry outreach targeting commercial driver’s license holders and non-commercial drivers operating commercial trucks, leased trucks (such as delivery and moving box-type trucks), and recreational vehicles.
Crash data shows that drivers may not always consider vehicle height and related restrictions during operation. For example, a typical 26-foot moving/delivery truck may have a height ranging from 11′ to 13’6″. The campaign also reminds drivers to lower truck beds and check the height of equipment they’re hauling.
Drivers are responsible for knowing the height of their vehicle — whether a personal vehicle or a rented one — and observing and complying with posted bridge heights. Pennsylvania motorists can use 511PA to check their route for low-clearance bridges (<13’6″) using the “Low Bridge” map layer. When the map layer is on, low bridges are indicated with a bridge icon that users can click for more information about the location.
Where possible, PennDOT and other bridge owners increase the vertical clearance under bridges during rehabilitation and reconstruction projects to reduce the chances of strikes. Over the past 10 years, more than 160 bridges with 16’5″ or less of vertical clearance were raised by at least 3″ during replacement.
Bill to boost investment in small businesses passes committee
The House Small Business Committee this week unanimously passed H.R. 2066 — the Investing in All of America Act — led by U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, and U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Michigan.
This bipartisan legislation expands access to capital for small businesses — especially those operating in rural or under-served areas, manufacturing, or the critical technology sector.
Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) represent one of the most successful federal public-private partnerships. These entities use private capital, which the Small Business Administration (SBA) matches with government-backed leverage, to invest directly in small businesses. Crucially, the SBIC program operates at no subsidy cost to the American taxpayer.
Over the past two decades, businesses backed by SBICs have created 3 million jobs and supported another 10.5 million. In 2024 alone, SBICs provided more than $8 billion to small businesses nationwide — including $412.3 million in Pennsylvania. Yet despite the program’s reach, fewer than 20% of SBIC investments currently flow to low- and middle-income communities. The Investing in All of America Act aims to close that gap.
To do this, the bill allows investments in rural and low-income areas, manufacturing, and critical technologies to be excluded from an SBIC’s leverage cap—making more capital available to businesses in these key sectors. It also restores an inflation adjustment for SBIC leverage limits, ensuring the program’s strength keeps pace with market conditions.
Manufacturing remains a vital part of America’s economic foundation, with 99% of manufacturers classified as small businesses. By enhancing the SBIC Program, this bill helps small manufacturers modernize, scale, and create high-quality jobs in communities across the country.
“As someone who spent more than 20 years helping grow a small business into a larger business, I know how difficult it can be to access capital,” Meuser said. “This legislation helps drive investment dollars into the hands of small businesses that need them most, without placing any added burden on taxpayers. It’s about empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening domestic manufacturing, and fueling long-term growth in communities that have too often been overlooked. I’m pleased this bill is moving forward with bipartisan support, and I encourage my colleagues to help get it across the finish line.”
The Investing in All of America Act passed out of the House Small Business Committee by a vote of 23-0.
The legislation now moves forward for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Gov. Shapiro, Secretary Redding highlight state’s agricultural legacy
Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited the 2025 York State Fair this week to celebrate Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage, meet with 4H youth and fair participants, and highlight the Shapiro Administration’s continued investments in Pennsylvania’s agriculture and tourism industries.
“Pennsylvania is proud to be home to America’s first fair — and events like the York State Fair continue to reflect the strength of our communities, the ingenuity of our farmers, and the spirit of our Commonwealth,” said Shapiro. “Fairs like this are more than just tradition — they’re major economic drivers that generate over a billion dollars in impact each year and support thousands of jobs across Pennsylvania. Agriculture is at the heart of who we are, and from preserving farmland to investing in the future of the industry, my Administration is creating opportunity in every corner of the Commonwealth. I believe in our farmers and our communities, and I’m going to keep supporting the people and industries that make Pennsylvania such a special place to live, work, and visit.”
Agriculture is a key sector of Pennsylvania’s economy, contributing $132 billion annually and supporting over 600,000 jobs.
Growing Pennsylvania’s tourism economy
Tourism is a key priority in Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy — and new data shows the industry is surging.
In 2023, Pennsylvania welcomed nearly 197 million visitors, generating a record-breaking $80.8 billion in total economic impact. Visitor spending reached $47.9 billion — surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time — and the industry supported more than 507,000 jobs, or one in every 16 jobs in the Commonwealth.
Tourism also generated $10.1 billion in government revenue, including $4.8 billion in state and local taxes — revenue that would have required every Pennsylvania household to pay an additional $903 to replace.
As the birthplace of American democracy, Pennsylvania will be front and center on July 4, 2026, when the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
Just as the Commonwealth played a pivotal role in 1776, it is once again preparing to take the national stage in 2026 — hosting major events across the state.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.