Multimodal Funding to Boost Road Safety, Economic Development in Indiana, Armstrong Counties

HARRISBURG – The Commonwealth Financing Authority has awarded more than $1.8 million in grants to four projects located within the 41st Senatorial District, according to Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41).

East Mahoning Township received a $500,000 grant to make improvements to 2.79 miles of Pollock Road, 2.57 miles located in East Mahoning Township, Indiana County, and 0.22 miles located in Rayne Township. The work to be done includes replacement of cross-pipes and underdrain replacement to improve the drainage on the roadway, as well as resurfacing the road and rebuilding the stabilized shoulders.

“The rehabilitation of Pollock Road, which is a former state-owned ‘turnback’ road, is long overdue,” said Sen. Pittman. “The road is heavily travelled and used quite a lot by the agriculture community.”

“It stands to reason, that the infusion of new infrastructure investments across our region will also lead to safer roads, less congestion and enhanced convenience for motorists,” added Rep. Brian Smith (R-66). “I am confident that East Mahoning Township will appropriately invest this funding to significantly improve safety, access and mobility all along Pollock Road.”

The project is expected to have a total cost of $668,472, with additional funds to be provided by East Mahoning Township ($159,874) and the Indiana County Conservation District ($61,729).

A $367,500 grant was awarded to the Indiana County Development corporation for the construction of an access road within the 119 Business Park, located in Center Township.

“The project is focused on sparking economic development within the area, but the business park currently lacks an access road to the lower 14.39 acres of the 25-acre property,” Sen. Pittman said. “Coupled with the $1.5 million PIPE grant that was awarded in the beginning of the year to provide natural gas access to this site, we are making it ready to go for future development.”

The total project cost is expected to be approximately $1.025 million, with other funds coming from the Indiana County Development Corporation ($157,500) and the ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) Federal ($499,997).

Washington Township, Indiana County, has received a $200,950 grant for the Phase III reconstruction of Redding Run Road.

“Washington Township has been working to reconstruct Redding Run Road, which is one of the township’s more heavily travelled roads and an important access road for rural communities, to address the road’s poor drainage and surface conditions,” said Sen. Pittman, who noted that Phase I of the project was completed in 2020 and Phase II is currently underway. “Phase III will include resurfacing 0.84 miles of the road, starting where Phase II ended, as well as improving drainage along the roadway, re-establishing parallel ditch lines along the road and re-stabilizing the shoulders of the road.”

“Travel on Redding Run Road in Washington Township is a rough ride due to poor drainage during heavy rain and the overall condition of the road surface,” Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-62) added. “This grant will fund the third and final phase of the project, which began last year, and no doubt be welcomed by residents in rural communities who frequently use this access road.”      

The total project cost for Phase II is expected to be $287,072, with Washington Township committing $86,122 to the project.

Lastly, a $745,000 grant was awarded to Ford City Borough, Armstrong County, for street and sidewalk improvements.

The grant will be used to help pay for reconstruction of portions of 3rd and 4th avenues, 11th and 12th streets, and two alleys. Improvements will include the remediation of 11,000 square yards of roadways, 2,500 linear feet of curbing and 1,500 square yards of sidewalk.

“These improvements will help revitalize the borough in conjunction with the soon-to-be Butler County Community College at Armstrong campus,” Rep. Abby Major (R-60) said. “These roads and sidewalks have been in need of repair for a while. All of this work was spearheaded by my predecessor, Rep. Jeff Pyle. It is an honor to help complete his vision for Ford City’s renaissance.”

“The Butler County Community College is going to bring new life to Ford City, and with the help of this grant funding, the street and sidewalk improvements will help to make that possible,” added Sen. Pittman.

The project is expected to cost a total of $969,225, with Ford City Borough committing $224,525 to the project.

The CFA was established as an independent agency of the Commonwealth to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth. The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation is available in the Commonwealth.

Contact:           Jeremy Dias                jdias@pasen.gov

 

 

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