PennDOT wants public input on its 2027-2030 construction plan; Veterans Memorial Bridge project pushed back another year

LANCASTERONLINE | Staff

Rehabilitation of the Veterans Memorial Bridge between Columbia and Wrightsville and the widening of Route 222 in Manheim Township are among the Lancaster County projects included in a four-year state transportation plan that is now available for public comment.

From now through June 30, the state Department of Transportation is accepting public comment on its 2027-2030 statewide transportation improvement plan. Last updated in 2024, the plan includes road, bridge and public transit projects that are expected to get state and federal funding.

A total of $29.4 billion in federal, state and local funding is expected to be spent on transportation projects in the state between 2027 and 2030, according to the plan, including nearly $475 million in Lancaster County.

The start date for rehabilitating the Veterans Memorial Bridge has been pushed back from 2027 to 2028 at the earliest because of ongoing coordination between PennDOT and federal agencies on protection of several threatened and endangered species, according to PennDOT spokesperson Michael Crochunis, who declined to identify the exact species. It was originally set to begin in 2024, but PennDOT pushed back the timeline and did interim repairs after discovering more extensive rehabilitation was needed. The project will require a three-year bridge closure for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians and a total cost of over $230 million. Widening and reconstruction of Route 222 in Manheim Township is expected to take place between 2028 and 2030, costing $75 million.

Projects in the plan are selected by regional transportation planning boards across the state, including the Lancaster County Metropolitan Planning Organization, which held a public comment period last month on its four-year plan. The majority of the comments on that plan were from people supporting the inclusion of funding to extend the Warwick-Ephrata Rail Trail into downtown Lititz.

A draft of the statewide plan and comment form are available now at lanc.news/PennDOTcomments. More details on the Lancaster County portion of the plan are available at lanc.news/TransportPlan.

Columbia school board's 2026-27 budget cuts property taxes; no tax hikes for the last six years

MORGAN HUBER | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE

When: Columbia Borough School board meeting, June 9.

What happened: The school board unanimously approved the 2026-27 general budget at the final meeting for the 2025-26 school year.

Details: With expenses projected at $35.1 million and revenue of $34.5 million, this budget resolution sets the tax rate for Columbia residents at 25.26 mills. This results in a .40 mill or 1.5% reduction from 2025-26, a first for the school district, which has consistently refrained from increasing taxes for the last six years. One mill equals $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

More: The board also approved a resolution for the Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion Act, with the estimated total reduction in real estate taxes at $622.53 for approved homesteads, an increase from last year. In addition, the board committed the $9.38 million in remaining fund balance from the 2025-26 year for future retirement benefit costs, technology and curriculum purchases, and learning loss costs.

Next steps: The budget documents will be sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for approval. All public school districts in the Commonwealth are required to submit their 2026-27 general fund budgets to the PDE by June 30.

Columbia Police announce road closures, parking restrictions as two auto shows roll into town | fox43.com

https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/lancaster-county/columbia-borough-police-street-closures-parking-restrictions-thunder-river-last-ride-car-shows/521-02132d2c-8ac0-4b91-8f65-d00394bf8438?fbclid=Iwb21leASeChFjbGNrBJ4KD2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHl-UYFkSvBQnTFZGsWGlsSNZJmNaoB3oi5uD1N94CcSXFK1_KHGkVRskVyl6_aem_AWgdW8Ks1DFaBOswx_ol2Q 

Historic 1917 fire truck to appear at Thunder on the River car show

This 1917 American La France fire truck, which is undergoing a restoration, will be on display at the "Thunder on the River" car show on Saturday. 

A piece of firefighting history will be on display at Columbia's "Thunder on the River" car show on Saturday, when a 1917 American La France fire truck makes an appearance in the heart of the downtown.

The antique truck will be stationed in the 400 block of Locust Street, across from Columbia Pizza.

Fire company members, who are working to restore and preserve the truck, will accept donations to help fund the ongoing restoration. 

Donations of Columbia fire company memorabilia from former departments, such as photographs, equipment, uniforms, or other artifacts, are also being accepted and can be dropped off at the display for preservation.

Deeds Recorded — Columbia Borough — June 15, 2026

AJ Home Solutions LLC conveyed property on Chestnut Street to Esmurdoc Wilson Ulloa for $315,000.

Kathleen A. Meley conveyed 460 Chestnut St. to Alex Cabassa for $250,000.

Above The Line Homebuyers LLC conveyed 308 Avenue Q to Cramer Erin Elizabeth, Cramer Keith Lewis for $171,250.

Clyde Investments LLC conveyed 18 N. Seventh St. to Morrison Dante Vaughn for $230,000.

Justin T. Diffenbaugh conveyed 537 S. 13th St. to Halter Jordon C, Halter Lauren for $350,000.

Kinnard Judy, Fasig Judith A. conveyed 414 Manor St. to Fasig Judith A, Capps Jill M. for $1.

Halter Jordon C, Halter Lauren M. conveyed 731 S. 12th St. to Highfill David, Lentz Alannah for $220,000.

Dodson Jonathan William III conveyed 931 Spruce St. to Dodson Jonathan William III, Dodson Jonathan William, Dodson Loretta Sue for $1.

Lancaster County property assessments to jump 90% in 2027; Columbia Borough sees highest increase at 140.74%

Lancaster County property owners are opening mailboxes this week to find reassessment notices reflecting dramatic increases in their property values — with some communities seeing assessments nearly double under the county's first major reassessment in years.

Notices are being mailed Monday, June 15, 2026, for the 2027 Final Reassessment, which applies to taxable parcels countywide.

Countywide numbers

The average single-family home in Lancaster County is currently assessed at $202,310, with a median assessment of $182,300. Across the county, the average percent change per parcel is 89.94%, while the median change lands at 78.52% — meaning most homeowners will see their assessed value nearly double on paper.

Columbia Borough hit hardest

Among all municipalities listed in the reassessment statistics, Columbia Borough posted the highest average increase in the county at 140.74% — more than 50 percentage points above the countywide average. That means a Columbia Borough property previously assessed at $150,000 could now carry an assessed value of roughly $361,000.

Other municipalities saw significant but comparatively lower increases:

Clay Township: 86.99%

West Cocalico Township: 84.17%

Akron Boro: 80.09%

Christiana Boro: 66.66%

Colerain Township: 62.47% — the lowest among districts listed

What this means for your tax bill — and what it doesn't

County officials are emphasizing a critical point that often gets lost in reassessment headlines: higher assessments do not automatically mean higher tax bills.

The purpose of a reassessment, according to county documentation, is to equalize all property values to 100% of current fair market value — ensuring that similar properties are taxed fairly relative to one another. Local taxing bodies, including school districts and municipalities, are expected to adjust their millage rates in response to the new values.

"Reassessments are NOT done to increase property taxes," the county states plainly in its  

Frequently asked questions 

A useful rule of thumb offered by the county: Could you sell your property for your new assessed value in today's real estate market? If the answer is yes, the new value may be accurate.

How to check your assessment — and how to appeal

Property owners who have not received a notice, or want to review their new value, can visit LancasterPA-reval.Devnetwedge.com and search by parcel number, address, or name.

Every property owner has the right to appeal their assessed value through the Board of Assessment Appeals. The board evaluates appeals based on the fair market value of the property. Property owners considering an appeal should review their new assessed value carefully before filing.

Questions about incorrect mailing addresses can be directed to PAQuestions@LancasterCountyPA.gov.

Additional district-by-district reassessment data is available through the Lancaster County Assessment Office.

[Source]

About Town — June 14, 2026

This week's photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Saturday's fire left several buildings damaged or destroyed and several residents displaced from their homes.

Donations for the fire victims may be made to the Columbia Area Ministerium Fire Victim's fund. Contact Pastor Powers at 717-449-0492 or email Amy Clark for information at aclark@columbiahas.org 

Several GoFundMe accounts have been set up for the victims of the fire:

https://gofund.me/9ee65acaf

https://gofund.me/69b5618fe

https://gofund.me/f3bffd527

https://gofund.me/5da4b84b6

Units responded to the scene again this morning after a resident placed a call about hotspots . . .

The damage is extensive . . .

On Saturday, firefighters from numerous departments fought the blaze for several hours.

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Also on Saturday, a man drove his vehicle into the town square during the garden tour, damaging a tree and uprooting three bollards in the process. Fortunately, no pedestrians were injured. The driver reportedly fled the scene but was later apprehended by police.

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Looks like Peerless Hardware has an open door policy

There were rare signs of life at the CenturyLink building on 20 North 2nd (currently operated by Brightspeed). It was being aired out the other day, for some reason. 

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The Walnut Street project continues. 

It sometimes causes problems for drivers headed that way.

RFT was back at the former airport.

The former airport is ours to mow for the time being. 

Clouds at sunset . . .

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Some weeds, etc., about town . . .

Seen at 5th & Locust 

How did that RV get into that space next to Zion Hill Cemetery.

Is it abandoned?

Miss T's mobile dog grooming 

Hometown Heroes posted at Zion Hill Cemetery 

More progress on the project at South 9th Street

The finished project will contain nine single-family attached dwelling units on the 0.55-acre lot.

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Smith's Hotel is celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the USA!

Trailer parking only

And yes, that definitely qualifies as a trailer.

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