'Urban' designation brings changes for transportation in Adams Co.

(Gettysburg) -- The growing population in one midstate county could lead to a number of benefits for travelers.

The latest census designates about 4 or 5 percent of the land in Adams County as "urban."

The classification means the county can change its current rural transportation planning organization to a "Metropolitan Planning Organization."

County Transportation Planner Andrew Merkel says the new name opens up the possibility for more federal funding and better cooperation with neighboring communities in York County.

"We did look at options that would have involved merging our respective transportation planning organizations, but it was too big of a step too quickly," Merkel says.

The designation will also change design standards for certain bridges and roadways.

Mass transit funding could also be increased.

Merkel says about a third of Adams County's population lives in urban areas, and he expects to see further growth.