Butler municipalities receives $2.3 million for transportation projects
Bantam Avenue is being reconstructed and extended thanks to a $750,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Agency’s Multimodal Transportation Fund.
“We’re going to extend Bantam Avenue to Hollywood Drive extension,” said Joseph Saeler, executive director of Community Development Corporation of Butler County. “The funds are going to be used for the infrastructure of the road.”
Butler city, along with several other municipalities throughout the county, received funds from the Multimodal Transportation Fund. The fund, which dispersed $2,324,470 throughout the county, grants money for projects that encourage economic development and ensure safe and reliable systems of transportation.
“Our roads act as a lifeline that connects our communities, our commonwealth and our nation,” said state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th. “These municipalities will greatly benefit from these grants as funding is an important part of the road repair and revitalization process to ensure people have safe pathways to use as they travel.”
State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, announced on Tuesday, March 26, that $1.3 million was to be allocated to projects in Butler city, and Clearfield and Winfield townships.
“These funds are aimed directly at improving our local transportation assets, both within Butler city and at rural locations within the 11th District,” Mustello said.
Along with the $750,000 for the city, Clearfield Township received $389,470 for renovations to the McGrady Hollow Bridge, and Winfield Township received $130,000 to replace two bridges at the intersection of Center and Helmbold avenues.
“We have bridges that are currently in need of attention, and we have avenues for future economic growth that need assistance in being developed,” Mustello said. “I’m proud to have helped secure funding for these important projects and to work with our local officials to keep them moving forward.”
State Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th, said two projects in her district received $825,000 in grants.
“Transportation plays a pivotal role in our lives,” said Scialabba. “After collaborating with township officials on advocating for support, I am pleased to see the Commonwealth Financing Agency reaffirming the importance of these projects by approving much-needed funding.”
Cranberry Township received $625,000 to install safety and connectivity upgrades at the intersection of Brandt Drive and Route 19.
“The project will go a long way to help upgrade the intersection of Brandt Drive and Route 19,” said Cranberry Township manger Dan Santoro. “We have a number of things we’re trying to get done, including signalization and pedestrian improvements. We’re going to bring that whole intersection back up to the standards of Cranberry Township.”
Evans City borough received $200,000 for the replacement of the Harrison Street culvert located in the borough.
“We’re very excited about the funds,” said Evans City council president Cheri Deener-Kohan. “That’s our second avenue out of town that right now we can’t use.”
State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-8th, said it is important that the state funds were made available to Butler County to support the transportation needs of the area.
“For far too long, significant funds that are collected from our residents in our district, in our region, have been shipped off to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh,” Bernstine said.
Lancaster Township received $230,000 for road repairs and upgrades throughout the township.
