Jefferson County accepts $9,000 right‑of‑way payment tied to I‑80 bridge work

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners voted to accept a $9,000 offer related to a required right‑of‑way on a 23‑acre parcel on the northern side of the county jail property tied to an Interstate‑80 bridge project.

A county staff member told the board the county entered negotiations with PennDOT over multiple parcels affected by the bridge work and that commissioners negotiated a higher figure than the agency initially offered. “This is part of the I‑80 bridge project,” the staff member said, explaining why the county agreed to the payment and crediting Commissioner Parchic for suggesting the amount and Commissioner North for serving as the negotiator between the county and PennDOT.

Commissioners moved and seconded the measure and completed a roll call; commissioners on the record voted in favor. The action authorizes the county to accept the compensation offer and finalize the right‑of‑way conveyance for the county parcel.

The acceptance is an administrative step that allows PennDOT to proceed with its bridge work affecting county property; the staff member did not identify any further mitigation, conditions or additional county costs associated with the conveyance.

Next steps: county staff will finalize the paperwork with PennDOT and record the transaction, after which PennDOT can proceed with its right‑of‑way needs for the I‑80 project.