Bill clears first hurdle with committee passage today

HARRISBURG – To honor the legacy of a dedicated public servant who played a leading role in the Marshalls Creek Bypass and to memorialize the sacrifices of Pike County veterans, Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) has introduced legislation in the state House to add designations to two local highways. The measure was unanimously reported out of the House Transportation Committee today.

House Bill 2605 would name the Marshalls Creek Bypass, which stretches from U.S. Route 209 from Twin Falls Road in Smithfield Township to Oak Grove Drive in Middle Smithfield Township, as the Joseph W. Battisto Bypass. The highway opened to traffic in June.

“More than 30 years ago, Representative Battisto had a vision for a bypass to help alleviate traffic congestion in the Marshalls Creek area of Monroe County, and during his tenure in the House, he fought hard to include this in PennDOT’s 12-year plan,” Brown said. “Now that the bypass is finished, I think it is only fitting that the bypass bear his name so that others will be reminded of the hard work he displayed in helping to make this a reality.”

Battisto represented the 189^th District in the state House from 1983-2000 and continues to live in the area.

The legislation also contains additional language to name State Route 739 in Pike County as Pike County Veterans’ Way. The section of affected road would be from Delaware Township, Dingman Township and Blooming Grove Township to the intersection of State Route 6 to the state line.

“From World War II through Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf to more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our local veterans have served our country with honor and distinction and have sacrificed so much to protect the freedoms and liberties we cherish every day,” Brown said. “This highway naming will help to ensure that everyone who travels along this road and sees the designation that they will be reminded of the commendable efforts of our local veterans, whether they served during conflict or protected our shores during peacetime.”

The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

If passed into law, PennDOT would be responsible for posting signs marking the designation at each stretch of highway being renamed.

State Representative Rosemary M. Brown

189^th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Jennifer Keaton

jkeaton@pahousegop.com

717.705.2094

RepBrown.com