BETHLEHEM, Pa. – State officials are kicking rapid road funding in Pennsylvania into high gear.

Funds from Harrisburg are on the way to the Lehigh Valley and other counties in the Keystone State to improve the quality of major roadways.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) are touting $ 775 million for the projects.

“We want to make sure this work happens right now,” said Shapiro.

Route 378 in the city of Bethlehem is expected to soon have a smoother, paved drive, from Route 22 to the Hill to Hill Bridge, and so could other heavily traveled roadways across 67 counties.

Shapiro visited the Lehigh Valley on Thursday, with state legislators, city leaders and PennDOT crews.

The group stood with a clear view of Route 378 in the distance to announce the first rapid deployment projects, secured as part of the investment.

“We know how important it is, especially here in the Lehigh Valley. [Route] 378 behind me that carries 35,000 vehicles every single day,” said Shapiro.

“That’s moms and dads trying to get their kids to school or to a doctor’s appointment. It connects commuters to their jobs more quickly. It brings farmers’ produce to our grocery stores,” he added.

The first round of funding secured by the 2026-27 state budget will distribute $250 million to 79 “Rapid Deployment Projects” statewide; that’s more than 400 miles of paving across 44 counties.

Shapiro assured there’s a big vision, not only for Route 378 but for Route 309 and other major roadways in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

It’s a plan in the works with the assistance of PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll to accelerate the state’s infrastructure by investing in roads and bridges.

The projects are either under construction or going out for bid this year.

“The [Route] 378 project is happening faster and will be paved instead of patched because we’re driving these funds out immediately,” said Carroll.

“Investing in these additional and expanded projects also allows PennDOT maintenance crews and funds to focus on other activities that will help preserve our roads and bridges. That is the beauty of this because it has a cascading positive effect for the entire region,” he added.

Carroll said the Route 378 project started months ahead of schedule, as it was originally set to kick off next year.

A closer look at the projects in each community can be found here.

A full video of Shapiro’s announcement can be viewed below: